With sickness, injuries and more the Sully Buttes Charger girls and boys basketball teams split a doubleheader against Jones County in Murdo Tuesday night. The Charger girls, down three starters and losing two more to fouling out, fell 51-42 to the Lady Coyotes in game one from Harold Thune Auditiorium, while the Charger boys, down four players and losing one to fouls, put up a 55-41 victory over the Coyotes to wrap up play.
The Charger girls started strong, leading 19-15 at the half as both teams turned the ball over numerous times. In the second half, Jones County came on and led 27-23 after three quarters. Both teams found offensive rhythm in the fourth quarter with the Lady Coyotes scoring 24 points to Sully Buttes’ 19 to seal the game.
Payge Bakker finished with 12 points before fouling out while Jadyn Jaeger added eight for 7-8 Sully Buttes who snapped a three game win streak. Jones County was led in scoring by sophomore Jacey Jensen, who hit for 18 points while Breanna Aske added 11 after being shut out the first half. Jones County ups their mark to 8-5 stopping a three game losing streak.
In the second game the Jones County boys held close after one quarter trailing 12-11, but Sully Buttes once again had a big second quarter scoring 19 points and led 31-23 at the half. Sully Buttes outscored Jones County 24-18 in the second half finally downing the persistent Coyotes.
Wesley Wittler, celebrating his birthday, lit up Jones County for 29 points while Eli Mercer and Easton Moore added eight points apiece. Asa Best came off the bench for Jones County and led in scoring with 13 while Bryer Kinsley added 10 for the 5-11 Coyotes. The Chargers have won six games in a row and sit at 10-3 on the season.
Both teams will be back in action, health permitting, Friday night as rivals Potter County comes to Onida. The girls will go first at about 6:15, with the boys game to follow. You can hear those matchups on Country 95.3FM, pierrecountry.com, and on YouTube at Country 95.3 sports with DT Meyer on the call.
