Basketball Recap: Emerson Karstens Key Part of Team Effort in Antlers Win

After having lost a blowout in their previous game against Skutt Catholic, Elkhorn was happy to have turned things around on Thursday. They enjoyed a cozy 42-23 win over the South Sioux City Cardinals. The Antlers have seen this before: they got the W the last time they saw the Cardinals, too.

Emerson Karstens

Rebounds (Career)

02/20/25 vs South Sioux City	12
02/01/25 @ Lincoln Northwest	8
02/07/25 vs Hastings	7
12/20/24 vs Standing Bear	7
12/28/24 @ Elkhorn North	5

Elkhorn got their victory on the backs of several key players, but it was Emerson Karstens out in front who posted eight points in addition to 12 boards and five assists. Those 12 rebounds gave Karstens a new career-high. The team also got some help courtesy of Naomi Bertucci, who put up nine points.

Karstens wasn't the only one working in the assist department: Elkhorn was working as a unit and finished the game with 11 assists. Elkhorn is 8-2 when they've passed the ball that well.

South Sioux City lost despite a true team effort on offense. The best among them was Yoseline Aldrich, who scored four points and four steals. She has been hot recently, having posted two or more steals the last three times she's played. Bailee Durant was another key player, putting up nine points and six boards.

Elkhorn is on a roll lately: they've won five of their last six matchups. That's provided a massive bump to their 11-8 record this season. South Sioux City's loss dropped their record down to 8-14.

Elkhorn has already played their next contest, a 57-29 defeat against Blair on the 21st. As for South Sioux City, they also wasted no time getting back out on the court and have already played their next game, a 54-49 win against Buena Vista on the 21st.