Viking girls defense stifles Canby

It may have seemed like a small moment when  freshman Jeren Rost came onto the floor early in a game won by the Vikings over Canby, 79-39.
But when she scored, it brought senior Lydia Sussner right off the bench, yelling support for the young post player.
“It was nice to see Lydia so supportive,” said Coach Chad Johnston. Rost has progressed to the point where the coach feels comfortable bringing Rost onto the floor to give Sussner a break.
Rost scored four points and grabbed five rebounds.
“She’s ready to give Lydia a break — especially now with Lydia suffering from asthma. Jeren did a good job inside,” said the coach.
Sussner still was able to get 20 points and collar 10 rebounds.
The “stifling” Minneota trap defense that has led them to the top of the state rankings, was even more powerful Tuesday night.
The Vikings forced Canby into 28 turnovers and converted several of the mistakes into buckets.
Abby Hennen took advantage of the “lane to drive to the basket and score 22 points.
“I see a lot of good things we’re doing. But I’m picking and there are things to clean up,” said the coach.
He did like the way, “The full court pressure worked well. We had lots of rotation (of players) in the half court to help box (in Canby) and cut away to our basket,” he said.
That’s what’s been added, pressure in the opponents court to continue to dog them as they try to score.
“I’m knit-picky, I still see lots of things to do.
Morgan Hennen scored 11 points and Lizzy Gillingham eight — but after that, well, everyone got into the game and contributed. Katie Konold scored four off the bench and Natalee Rolbiecki three.
“Katie is someone we may be able to use more and more. She’s starting to get it,” said the coach.
What Coach Johnston likes about his pressing defense is that it just seems to come natural to his girls. “We don’t spent time on it. I like what I see. This group is good at pressing and they do it without getting gassed,” said.
He and assistant Coach Dale Kockelman seem to feel Gillingham is still working away the soreness in her ankle from the injury she sustained at the state volleyball tournament.
“She doesn’t seem to quite have that acceleration and ability to turn on the ankle,” the coach said.
But she’s still contributing.
“We’re yet to have a let down. We know someone always will step up and give us a fight. But so far that hasn’t been the case,” said the coach.
Minneota hosts Russell-Tyler-Ruthon on Thursday, then play at 5 p.m. Friday in the Isle Tournament against the host.
They also play Saturday at Isle.

MINNEOTA (2’s, 3’s, FT, F, TP) Audra Buysse 0 0 0-0 0 0; Lizzy Gillingham 4 0 0-2 1 8; Abby Hennen 5 2 6-9 2 22; Morgan Hennen 5 0 1-2 0 11; Morgan Kockelman 1 0 0-0 0 2; Katie Konold 2 0 0-0 1 4; Mariah Muhl 0 2 0-0 0 3; Natalee Rolbiecki 1 0 1-2 0 3; Abby Rost 1 0 0-0 3 2; Jeren Rost 2 0 0-0 0 4; Madison Sorenson 0 0 0-0 0 0; Lydia Sussner 10 0 0-1 1 20; McKenna Yost 0 0  0-0 0 0. Totals 31 3 8-16 8 79.
CANBY (2’s, 3’s, FT, F, TP) Allison Anderson 2 1 0-0 0 7; Morgan Cleveland 0 0 0-0 1 0; Marissa Hansen 2 0 2-2 1 6; Sarah Hansen 1 0 0-0 1 2; Hannah Jelen 4 0 1-3 3 9; Kayelee Johnson 1 0 0-0 1 2; McKenzie Ruether 2 0 2-2 4 6; Ahlea Wright 2 0 0-2 1 4. Totals 14 2 5-9 12 39.
Score by Halves
Canby            19    20    —    39
Minneota            44    35    —    79
Statistics
SHOOTING: Minneota (2’s 31 of 53 for 59 percent; 3’s 3 of 14 for 21 percent; overall 34 of 67 for 51 percent); Canby (2’s 14 of 42 for 33 percent; 3’s 2 of 9 for 22 percent; overall 16 of 51 for 31 percent).
FREE THROWS: Minneota 8 of 16 for 50 percent; Canby 5 of 9 for 56 percent.
REBOUNDS: Minneota 31 (Sussner 10; J. Rost 5; Gillingham 4; A. Hennen 3, M.Hennen, Muhl, Rolbiecki 2 each, Buysse, Konold, A.. Rost 1 each); Canby 30 (Jo hnson 9; Anderson 4, S. Hansen 3, others 14).
TURNOVERS: Minneota 10; Canby 28.
STEALS: Minneota 22 (Sussner 7; M. Hennen 4, A. Hennen 3, Kockelman, Muhl, A. Rost 2 each, Gillingham 1); Canby 3 (M. Hansen, S. Hansen, Ruether).
ASSISTS: Minneota 15 (M. Hennen, Sussner 3 each, Gillingham, A. Hennen 2 each, Kockelman, J. Rost, Sorenson 1 each); Canby 6 (S. Hansen 3).
BLOCKS: Minneota 1 (Yost); Canby 2 (Anderson, Johnson 1 each).
B SQUAD: Minneota 61, Canby 29 (McKenna Yost scored 25 points). Vikings undefeated at 5-0.