By John Rittenhouse
The Ellsworth boys’ basketball team completed its pre-Christmas schedule with a perfect 7-0 record by hammering Lake Benton 89-58 in Ellsworth Thursday.
Four Panthers reached double figures in scoring in the game, but Ellsworth coach Ken Kvaale said his team’s effort on the defensive end of the court was the key to victory.
Ellsworth’s starters limited the Bobcats to 30 points in the first three quarters before LB scored 28 points against mostly reserves in the fourth quarter.
"Our defense was the key," Kvalle said. "Some steals by Travis Jenniges (EHS senior guard) really helped us out. Travis was our sparkplug in this game."
Blake Brommer gave the Panthers a lift in the first quarter by scoring eight of his 16 points to help EHS double (22-11) Lake Benton’s scoring output by period’s end.
Curt Schilling, who recorded a rare triple-double (28 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists), helped the Panthers open a 47-23 halftime lead by scoring 20 points in the first half.
Brant Deutsch, who collected 12 rebounds and passed for six assists for the winners, struck for 10 of his 20 points when the Panthers outscored the Bobcats 17-7 in the third period to make it a 64-30 game.
The Bobcats trimmed the difference to 31 points by game’s end with a 28-25 scoring advantage in the fourth quarter.
Dylan Kvaale scored 12 points and grabbed eight rebounds for EHS. Jenniges charted eight assists and four steals.
Ellsworth will play three games at the Mitchell (S.D.) Tournament Dec. 26-28).
Box score
Schilling 8 0 12-13 28, Jenniges 2 0 3-4 7, Janssen 1 0 0-0 2, Kvaale 5 0 2-4 12, Sieff 0 1 1-2 4, Deutsch 7 1 3-4 20, Brommer 6 1 1-4 16.
Team statistics
Ellsworth: 55 percent from the field (totals not available), 22 of 31 free throws (71 percent), 48 rebounds, 12 turnovers.