Warriors Host Lincoln in Girls Basketball

Paced by a solid starting five and deep bench, second-ranked Sioux Falls Washington girls basketball team continues to roll over its competition.

That is expected to change Thursday night when the Warriors open the home portion of its schedule against cross-town rival Sioux Falls Lincoln.

Washington is winning by an average of 36 points in the first three games and only allowing 25 a contest.

“We need a big game and we have one with LHS,” SFW coach Nate Malchow said. “Big games in December are great as you can see what you need to work on going into the break when we have additional practice time to work on improvement.  I think that is why the big programs in college love the non-conference big games early--more to find out what you're not good at so you can get better.”

Warriors have six players that average six points or more a game with no one averaging more than 11.

Hannah Nieman scored 13 points, Ellie Benson 11 and Sydney Koel 10 in the Warriors’ 59-22 victory over Yankton Dec. 11.

Lincoln is led by seniors Darby Hugunin and Cera Ledbetter. Both in double-figures after a 1-1 start with a win at Sturgis and a 57-52 loss Dec. 11 at Roosevelt.

“Darby is a player and they rely on her to get a bunch of things done on both ends of the court,” said Malchow. “She has gotten stronger and is really a threat to go off for 30 points at any time.  Just a special player who ‘gets it’, which is a compliment for knowing the game and ability to make plays.”

You can hear the game Thursday on 1140 KSOO at 7:30pm since ESPN 99-1 is carrying college football. It's offense vs defense when BYU and San Diego State renew their old WAC rivalry in the Poinsettia Bowl.