Hanson girls basketball looking strong after 8-1 start
Jan. 18—ALEXANDRIA, S.D. — Knowing what it will take to make it out of a crowded region, the Hanson girls basketball team has started the season on a winning note.
Eight winning notes, to be exact.
The Beavers have begun the season 8-1 in large part because of their offense averaging 63.2 points per game, which ranks third in all of Class A. The team also sits fourth in the Region 5A seed points. With regional competition now less than a month away, Hanson is focusing on each game in order to prepare itself for bigger things down the line.
"We're very happy with our progress to this point in the season but you are never really satisfied," Beavers head coach Jim Bridge said. "We have to have that one game at a time mentality, and find goals in each game to progress this team for region play."
A big attribute to the Beavers has been the selfless approach of the players, who are not afraid to move the ball around to create chances to score points. The approach is reflected in the numbers.
Senior Alyssa Moschell leads the team in points (16.9) and rebounds (9.1) per game, but Hanson features four players who've averaged double-digit points per game over the course of the season, each showcasing different attributes to the team. Fellow senior Eliza Oltmanns leads the Beavers in steals (3.8) while averaging 13.9 points per game.
Sophomore Taziah Hawkins is averaging 13.8 points per game and a team-leading 4.1 assists. Junior Kylie Haiar has averaged 12.4 points per game and is second on the team in total rebounding (6.5). Overall, Hanson has built a solid team chemistry, translating to results to start the year.
"This group plays well as a team with very unselfish play," Bridge said. "They are not afraid to share the ball, and our girls go out and play with one common goal. And that is to win games."
Even as the Beavers have started strong this season, the team's basic fundamentals have always been an area they've looked to improve on. The work on the little things comes from the viewpoint of benefitting the team's established strengths for each time Hanson takes the floor.
"We work at trying to get better at the little things," Bridge said. "Working on fundamentals each day at practice strengthens our skills for game play, and it'll help us prepare for the postseason."
As the postseason nears, Region 5A features a crowded top end, with Wagner leading the way in the seed points followed by Mount Vernon/Plankinton and Parkston. Sanborn Central/Woonsocket sits fifth in the seed points right behind the Beavers. Knowing any one of those teams have the ability to advance to the SoDak 16, Hanson's postseason chances will be dependent on the remainder of the season going forward.
"With the region open this year, it's going to be which team is going to step up during the big games?" Bridge said. "We play a very solid schedule for the remainder of the season, so our girls will be ready to go out and try and win games. With those games, it'll help prepare us for that run to the postseason."
Hanson faces Sanborn Central/Woonsocket on Tuesday, Jan. 23, part of a stretch of six consecutive home games in Alexandria. The Beavers take on Wagner at home Jan. 30 and Mount Vernon/Plankinton on the road Feb. 1.
