By Becky Walz,
It was an exciting start to the 2021-22 season for the Turkey Valley girls’ basketball team with a win over New Hampton Monday night; however, the energy didn’t return for the squad’s second game Tuesday at Monona.
Season opener
The season began versus New Hampton (0-2, 0-0 NEIC) at home Monday night with a 60-54 victory.
It was back-and-forth much of the game, with fans seeing the first quarter end with the score knotted 15-all. In the second period, the Trojans pulled ahead 28-26. After the break, the Chickasaw offense scorched the nets to take a 10-point lead at 44-34 with eight minutes to play. Scrappy defense led to a 10-0 run in the first minute of the fourth quarter was capped by a pair of Aubrey Hoffert free throws. A NH trey with 2:08 to play would be the final time the Chickasaws would lead, 53-52, as Kara Reicks connected on a shot behind the arc. The final four Trojan points came at the charity stripe.
“I liked our team effort, aggressiveness and seeing girls stepping up to the challenges. Jalyssa Blazek took it all to heart and worked her tail off defensively against New Hampton’s Carlee Rochford. Even though we knew Carlee was going to get her points, we definitely wanted to try to slow her up, make it hard for her, and limit her touches as much as possible,” said Coach Carla Nymeyer. “It was great to see the girls fight the whole way even when NH went on a nice run to take the lead by 10.”
Leading the offensive charge with 20 points was Jacqlyn Schmitt, while Blazek put down 17. Blazek paced the team in other categories with eight rebounds and four assists, while Schmitt came away with four boards and two steals. Reicks narrowly missed double digits with nine to go with three boards and four assists.
New Hampton 15 11 18 10 54
Turkey Valley 15 13 6 26 60
Scoring – Jacqlyn Schmitt 20; Jalyssa Blazek 17; Kara Reicks 9; Aubrey Hoffert 6; Alison Leibold 3; Hailey Elsbernd 3; Brianna Busta 2
Rebounds – Blazek 8; Busta 5; Hoffert 4; J. Schmitt 4; Leibold 4; Reicks 3; Elsbernd 1; Assists – Blazek 4; Reicks 4; Elsbernd 2; Busta 2; Steals – J. Schmitt 2; Busta 2; Blazek 1; Reicks 1; Hoffert 1; Elsbernd 1; Leibold 1
On the road
The Lady Trojans put up a good fight versus MFL MarMac (2-0, 2-0 UIC) on the road Tuesday but couldn’t get enough shots to fall versus the Bulldogs, coming up short, 46-35.
“We had our chances but couldn’t hang on against the physical play of MFL. Our execution was off at times and the looks we had didn’t connect when we needed it,” said Coach Nymeyer. “It’s tough to play those back-to-back games and I credit the girls for not giving up. Even though we struggled to keep the energy and intensity high at times, they gave a great effort on tired legs.”
Knotted at 13 after the first frame, the two teams showed fatigue in the second quarter, neither squad scoring in double digits. However, it was MFL MarMac in the lead 21-15 at halftime. The third frame was another slow-scoring affair with the Bulldogs leading 27-22.
Topping the scoring chart for the Trojans again was J. Schmitt with 17 points. Hailey Elsbernd knocked down eight.
Turkey Valley 13 2 7 13 35
MFL MarMac 13 8 6 19 46
Scoring – J. Schmitt 17; Elsbernd 8; Busta 4; Blazek 2; Reicks 2; Hoffert 2
At home Friday
The first week of the season will conclude back at home versus Clayton Ridge Friday, Dec. 3, at 6:15 p.m. Next week, the Trojans host North Fayette Valley Tuesday, Dec. 7, at 6:15 p.m.
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