DETROIT LAKES

— Spectators and followers gathered inside Lakeshirts Fieldhouse for the tipoff of the 2024-25 ladies basketball season as Detroit Lakes hosted Sartell-St. Stephen on Friday, Nov. 22.

It was a one-point distinction on the half however the Sabres’ defensive strain obtained the perfect of the Lakers as they ran away with a 61-34 victory within the season opener. Karlee Mace led all scorers with 13 factors. Three Sabres scored in double figures.

Sartell outscored Detroit Lakes 36-10 within the second half to spoil Lakers’ head coach Robb Flint’s debut. Turnovers have been the distinction within the sport because the Lakers had problem dealing with the press and entering into their offense.

“I believed we got here out with lots of vitality,” Flint stated. “Within the first half, we dealt with the strain after we had an thought of what they have been going to do. I didn’t do a ok job adjusting within the second half. Our youngsters didn’t reply very nicely within the remaining 18 minutes as a result of I didn’t put them in nice positions. We’ll get higher at it because the season goes on. We simply gave away the ball an excessive amount of within the second half.”

It was a defensive slugfest to start the sport. With 13:24 left within the first half, the rating was tied 5-5. Each groups matched one another’s depth with ball strain. The Sabres attacked the offensive glass early and coraled free balls. Mace did a great job of driving to the ring with physicality and was awarded free throws.

After a three-pointer by Mace, the Lakers led 9-6 with lower than 12 minutes left within the opening half. Each groups had bother staying in entrance of their lady and the fouls piled up. The Lakers have been within the bonus with simply over 10 minutes left within the half. Detroit Lakes handled foul bother from a pair of its starters. Hailey Larson picked up three first-half fouls and Mace additionally had two fouls.

Sartell ramped up its ball strain, which affected the Lakers. The Sabres doubled the ball handler and compelled a number of turnovers that led to simple baskets. Sartell closed out the primary half sturdy, taking a 25-24 lead.

“I cherished that we have been diving on the ground and getting after it within the first half,” Flint stated. “We have been mixing it up and dealt with the strain for probably the most half. After watching some movie from final yr, we have been ready for his or her ball strain. We’ve to do a greater job of staying sturdy with the ball and never losing our dribble. It’s going to take time however I noticed some good issues tonight.”

The Sabres got here out firing on each ends of the courtroom within the second half. Their suffocating protection didn’t enable a single level till the 12:48 mark extending their result in 38-29. The protection continued to wreak havoc and Detroit Lakes by no means discovered their rhythm offensively. Sartell outscored the Lakers 24-7 and led 49-31 with 5:13 left within the sport.

“They pulled again within the second half and didn’t lure our first go,” Flint stated. “They began trapping as quickly as we crossed half-court in order that shocked us a bit bit. That shrinks the ground and now our passing angles aren’t there and we’re not as open as we want. They’re an extended crew and they’re athletic so it shortened all the things up. Most of our passes have been getting tipped which led to turnovers.”

The Lakers dropped to 0-1 however Flint noticed some issues that his crew can construct off of going ahead. With a powerful first half, Detroit Lakes is aware of what it takes to place a complete sport collectively going ahead.

“Offensively we now have to get reversals going and never stand round watching the ball,” Flint stated. “The ball caught on one facet of the ground and as soon as it obtained there it by no means moved. We’ve to have the ability to see the ground higher and get off of a ball display. Bounce stops will assist us to make higher choices. We have been simply one-dimensional tonight however we are going to get higher.”

SARTELL-ST. STEPHEN 61 DETROIT LAKES 34

SRTL – 25 36 – 61

DL – 24 10 – 34

DETROIT LAKES SCORING – Mace 13; Kallstrom 6; Omberg 5; Spalla 5; Smith 4; Wimmer 1

SARTELL SCORING – Swenson 12; Koosman 12; Gunderson 10; Gack 7; Lewis 6; Crandall 6; Schuman 5; Marse 2; Latunski 1

Cooper Kanthak is a sports activities reporter for the Detroit Lakes Tribune, Perham Focus and Wadena Pioneer Journal. Cooper graduated from South Dakota State College with a level in journalism and minored in digital and social media. He’s initially from Pipestone, Minnesota, and has a ardour for all issues sports activities. You may attain Cooper at ckanthak@forumcomm.com.