Hot start lifts Pioneers to road win

Okoboji used a quick 6-0 start to set the tone against West Lyon en route to a 50-42 road win Monday, Jan. 23 in Siouxland Conference girls basketball play.

"It was a great team win tonight," said Okoboji coach Abby Goodlaxson. "We left it all out on the court. We played with passion, energy and heart. I'm proud of the girls and their determination to get the W."

The Pioneers (5-11, 4-9 Siouxland Conference) scored double digits in all four quarters and they never let the Wildcats get closer than three points.

Okoboji put the pressure on West Lyon immediately with three baskets off three turnovers in the first two minutes. Mikkinzie Peschong tossed in the first two hoops and Abby Taylor followed with a field goal of her own.

Taylor increased the lead up to 8-2 with a transition layup off a steal before West Lyon closed the deficit down to 11-8 to end the quarter.

The Pioneers continued to roll in the second quarter, putting up 19 points and building a 30-21 halftime advantage.

Okoboji's lead reached double digits at the end of the third quarter.

"I thought we got a lot of fast-break points and we were looking up the floor fairly well, so that gave us a few buckets that we haven't gotten early in the year," said Goodlaxson. "The girls are improving each and every day and we actually saw it tonight."

Peschong paved the way offensively for a team that scored 15 more points than they'd been averaging this season. She finished with 13 points and four steals, while Skylar Hansen chipped in 10 points and five assists. Olivia Albright, Hannah Marsh and Taylor each added nine points.

"We've put a lot of pressure on Mikkinzie and Skylar, but they've really come on strong here in the last half of the season, especially Mikkinzie," Goodlaxson said. "She was kind of hesitant to shoot the first half of the season and now you're starting to see her true colors. She's got a great baseline shot. The skies the limit for that girl, and she really needs to step up, and she has lately. We've got some good senior leadership coming out of her."

Albright was also a key perimeter defender, swiping a team-high five steals, and helping limit West Lyon to 30.4 percent shooting.

"(Olivia) got a few steals for us and when we went into our box-and-one she was on the shooter," said Goodlaxson. "She was very vital to our win tonight, along with all the other girls, but she stepped it up. She's a little freshman, but her and Kim (Naatjes) have had to really grow up quick, but I thought they did an excellent job."

The Pioneers shot 22-of-47 at a team for 46.8 percent and made 6-of-11 foul shots.