No. 1 Sioux Falls Roosevelt Hosts Sioux Falls Lincoln

Friday night, the boys regular season comes to a close in high school basketball.

Lincoln travels to Roosevelt for 7:30 pm tip. On Jan. 29, the top-ranked Rough Riders held off upset-minded Lincoln 64-62 in overtime in the Patriot gym on Brandon Boggs’ go-ahead basket with eight seconds left. Fans that night saw 20 lead changes and eight ties.

In the end, Boggs came off the dribble from the top of the key and sank a floater in the lane. Lincoln had a missed Calvin Krause jumper and a failed Caleb Rector putback at the horn for the tie.

Jeremiah Clark and Tyler Howard each finished with 17 points in that game contest to lead the Riders, who struggled to capitalize on open looks and in the transition game.

The Patriots handled the Roosevelt press well as three Lincoln players finished in double figures, led by Nermin Krdzalic’s 13 points.

"The first time their guards outplayed our guards, they handled pressure better, defensively did a nice job overall, and created for others," said RHS coach Lee Taylor. "We let Nermin get going and Adam Jaros get to the basket."

Lincoln outrebounded Roosevelt 45-30, but the Patriots battled foul trouble with four of five starters finishing with four fouls. That led to a free-throw disparity where the Riders were 15-for-24 night while the Pats were just 3 of 5. That has been the story all season for Lincoln. They have fouled a lot and have failed to get to the line consistently.

The Riders are 18-1 and the only loss was on the road at Marshall.

"Our guards have to step on the court every night and play hard and together for us to have a chance to win any game moving forward," said Taylor. "Starts tonight with another challenge to contain and defend Lincoln’s talented team and every game in the post-season."

The Pats 10-9 on the season are 3-3 since the overtime loss to Roosevelt after a 5-0 start in December.

The Riders are 10-0 at home this season.

Each squad has balance offensively. The Riders have five players averaging 8.1-12.8 points per game led by Tyler Howard.

The Patriots have four starters averaging in double-figures, led by sophomore Addison Park, who suffered a concussion in the last game between these two schools. Park is averaging around 12 a game.