The Sully Buttes Charger girls were dealt their first loss of the season against Lyman by the final of 66-48 in the opening game of a girls/boys basketball doubleheader Tuesday in Onida, while the Charger boys raced up and down the court and ran past the Raiders 72-56 in the nightcap.
The Charger girls, playing in their third game of the season, ran up against a stout Raider defense, and turned the ball over too many times thanks to a suffocating full court press and Sully Buttes could never recover. The Raiders had balanced scoring with junior Brooke Palmer leading the way with 23 points in the low post while senior Skyler Volmer showed her touch around the basket finishing with 17. Low post partner Mak Scott also finished in double figures, with 15 for the 1-0 Raiders. Lyman led 36-27 at the half, and outscored Sully Buttes 30-21 in the second half.
Leading the way for Sully Buttes once again was Stevie Wittler who finished with 19 points and Payge Bakker added 15 for the 2-1 Chargers.
Meanwhile, the Charger and Raider boys opened their 2023-24 seasons and from the start both teams pushed the tempo, but it was the Charger boys that beat the Raiders to the punch on fast breaks, rebounding, and outside shooting.
Sophomore Wesley Wittler picked up where he left off finishing the night with 34 points while fellow sophomore Gavin Colson added 22 for 1-0 Sully Buttes. The Chargers had 6-three pointers to their credit.
Leading in scoring for 0-1 Lyman was Aksel Ehlers with 19 and Jonas Zirpel with 16 points.
Three of the four teams had their opening game of the young season, thanks to icy roads Saturday that caused Potter County to postpone last Saturday’s matchup that was to have been played at the Lyman Gardens.
The Charger girls travel to Herreid Friday night to take on the talented Herreid Selby Area Wolverines. Varsity gametime is at 7:45, while the Charger boys host the Winner Warriors Saturday afternoon, with the JV starting at 12 Noon. Those varsity games can be heard on Country 95.3FM and on YouTube at Country 95.3 Sports.
