By Becky Walz,
It was a nail biter Monday night for the Turkey Valley girls’ basketball team (15-6, 12-4 UIC) as the Trojans traveled to Riceville (19-2) for make-up game, surviving Wildcats 37-34 for the victory.
A sluggish start for the Trojans forced them to play catch-up late in the first quarter. TV fell behind 11-6 midway through the opening period but fought its way back to tie the score 11-11 with eight minutes complete. The Trojans attacked the basket with more force in the second quarter to head to the locker room with a 21-17 advantage. Riceville got within two in the third but continued to trail 29-26 with eight minutes to play. Midway through the final period, the Wildcats were within one, before TV rattled off four points. Neither team could score in the final two minutes as the Trojans claimed the win.
“This was an outstanding win! Ours girls came ready to play with great intensity and tempo all four quarters. Defense was locked in as Jalyssa (Blazek) did an amazing job shutting down their leading scorer, Omalley Fair, who averages 16 points per game. We defended the perimeter and inside well,” said Coach Carla Nymeyer. “Brianna Busta and Alison Leibold gave us some great minutes off the bench. They played physical, created havoc and were threats to score.”
Senior Kara Reicks drained 10 points and snatched eight rebounds to lead the Trojans, while Blazek provided six points, eight boards and five steals. With five points apiece were Leibold, Aubrey Hoffert and Jacqlyn Schmitt. Hoffert also had eight rebounds.
Let the postseason begin
The Lady Trojans will begin postseason play tonight (Thursday, Feb. 10) at home versus Kee High. A victory for TV would advance the Trojans to the regional quarterfinal versus either Central Elkader or Tripoli Tuesday, Feb. 15, in Elkader at 7 p.m.
Turkey Valley 11 10 8 9 37
Riceville 11 6 9 8 34
Scoring – Kara Reicks 10; Jalyssa Blazek 6; Alison Leibold 5; Aubrey Hoffert 5; Jacqlyn Schmitt 5; Brianna Busta 4; Hailey Elsbernd 2
Rebounds – Reicks 8; Hoffert 8; Blazek 3; Busta 3; J. Schmitt 2; Leibold 1; Elsbernd 1; Assists – Reicks 2; Blazek 1; J. Schmitt 1; Steals – Blazek 5; Reicks 3; Leibold 1; J. Schmitt 1; Blocks – J. Schmitt 1
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