By Becky Walz,
A 22-point second half was key to a victory for the Turkey Valley girls’ basketball team (5-3, 4-2 UIC) Tuesday night as the Trojans defeated South Winn (3-7, 1-6 UIC) in Calmar, 46-19.
A quick rewind
The Trojans scored the first six points of the night before South Winn’s Janessa Zweibahmer broke the spell with a two. The Warriors kept the game within reach at the end of the opening period as TV led 13-7. By halftime, the Trojans had stretched their lead to 24-13.
SW’s downfall came in the second half as the offense struggled to get the ball in the net as Turkey Valley outscored the home team 22-6, holding the Warriors to a single free throw in the final eight minutes.
The visitors
The Trojans were led by Jacqlyn Schmitt with 14 points and five rebounds. Kara Reicks and Hailey Elsbernd weren’t far behind with nine points apiece. Reicks added three rebounds, seven assists and four steals to the stat sheet as well.
“SW always does a great job of packing it in defensively…fortunately, we were able to connect outside which helped us create some inside openings as well. Kara Reicks did an awesome job feeding Jacqlyn Schmitt inside. We moved the ball well on the perimeter and had our feet set and ready to shoot in rhythm on the catch…great to see Hailey Elsbernd leading that charge,” said TV coach Carla Nymeyer. “Our pressure was outstanding tonight with Kara (Reicks) and Jalyssa (Blazek) really locked in. This was a solid performance all around, a nice way to head into the break.”
For the home team
“The girls played hard, and their effort was phenomenal and we did a better job taking care of the ball. We just had a couple of mental mistakes that let Turkey Valley really extend their lead. We have a two-week layoff here to get healthy and ready to compete after Christmas break,” noted Warrior head coach Justin Izer.
Janessa Zweibahmer provided a team-high eight points and five rebounds, while Alison Heying put in six points to go with three boards and two steals. Morgan Kriener dished out five assists.
Break time
The Lady Warriors will not see competition on the court again until Tuesday, Jan. 4, as they head to Lansing to battle Kee High.
Turkey Valley also reopens the season Tuesday, Jan. 4, on the road, taking on the Postville Pirates.
Turkey Valley 13 11 15 7 46
South Winn 7 6 5 1 19
Turkey Valley stats
Scoring – Jacqlyn Schmitt 14; Kara Reicks 9; Hailey Elsbernd 9; Jalyssa Blazek 4; Aubrey Hoffert 3; Brianna Busta 3; Alison Leibold 2; Abigail Schmitt 2
Rebounds – Blazek 5; J. Schmitt 5; Reicks 3; Hoffert 1; Leibold 1; Mariah Throndson 1; Assists – Reicks 7; J. Schmitt 2; Blazek 1; Hoffert 1; Leibold 1; Steals – Reicks 4; Blazek 3; Leibold 3; J. Schmitt 2; Hoffert 1; Elsbernd 1; Busta 1; Blocks – J. Schmitt 1
South Winn stats
Scoring – Janessa Zweibahmer 8; Alison Heying 6; Josie Tieskoetter 3; Josie Hemesath 2
Rebounds – Zweibahmer 5; Heying 3; Hemesath 3; Morgan Kriener 2; Morgan Kleve 2; Eryn Luzum 1; Assists – Kriener 5; Kleve 1; Steals – Heying 2; Zweibahmer 2; Tieskoetter 1; Kleve 1; Hemesath 1; Blocks – Heying 1
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