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Otters tower over Sabres
Published 11:21am Friday, January 11, 2013The Fergus Falls girls basketball team hit the road after a long home stand, but it didn’t affect their play, as they came out strong against Sartell in a 69-40 Central Lakes Conference win Thursday.
The Otters jumped out to an early 10 point lead and extended the lead steadily throughout the first half to walk off at intermission with a commanding 45-19 lead.
This time besides their standard pressure defense, it was “big girl’s” basketball, as the Otters overshadowed the smaller Sartell players with inside scoring, rebounding and shot blocking that left the Sabres wondering what hit them.
Well, the answer was simple, Anna Monke and Hanna Swenson hit them. Monke had 11 points and five rebounds, while Swenson had 10 points and seven rebounds and three blocked shots, just in the first half. Both Monke and Swenson grabbed numerous offensive boards and scored off put-backs. Swenson nabbed three more rebounds in the second half and had three more blocked shots to finish the game with a double-double of 12 points, 10 rebounds along with 6 blocked shots. Monke didn’t let up in the second half either, she poured in 12 more points in that stanza to finish with a game leading 23 points on the night.
Bailey Strand added 11 points for the Otters. Brianna Rasmusson had her usual strong floor game, dishing out a team leading 10 assists, while grabbing eight rebounds and scoring seven points. The Sabres had two players in double figures, Ashton Haider had 13 points and Kendra Raths had 10. Mid-way through the second half the Otters had a 32 point lead and substituted freely, with all available players getting into the game.
“I liked how we came out strong on the road, having a great first half, with everyone who played that half scoring,” commented Otter coach Brad Strand. “Anna Monke had a high-energy night and really worked the boards, getting put-backs and being rewarded for her work ethic. Hanna is back at full strength now and played strong inside, just what we are looking for, getting a double-double on the night. Complimenting Brianna’s 10 assists Devonie Smith did well in driving more to the basket and getting some beautiful bounce pass assists to our posts for easy baskets.”
In JV play, Sartell prevailed over the Otters 39-34. Nicole Anderson led the Otters with 12 points and Brooklyn Seland added 8 points while pulling down a team high 10 rebounds.
Sartell also took the ninth grade game 28-23. Amanda Nelson led the Otters with eight points.
The Otters are now 10-0 on the season, 6-0 in the Central Lakes Conference. They play Saturday at Sauk Rapids-Rice.
Fergus Falls 69, Sartell 40
FF 45 24 — 69
SAR 19 21 — 40
FERGUS FALLS (69) – A. Monke 23, H. Swenson 12, B. Strand 11, B. Rasmusson 7, D. Smith 6, K. Traiser 4, K. Sawtell 4, S. Velde 2.
SARTELL (40) – A. Haider 13, K. Raths 10, C. Ross 5, K. Zipp 4, K. Hoppert 3, R. Winter 3, E. Mitzel 2.
