The Wild Rose Ladycats salvaged a Hwy 22 Showdown win over the Wautoma Lady Hornets, 51-45, in Wild Rose on Jan. 7.
The opening tipoff might have gone to Wautoma, but Cali Havlovitz put Wild Rose on the board first with a bucket. It took some time before another score and it was Emica Marquez who gave the hosts a 5-0 lead with a 3-point shot with a little more than 14 minutes to play in the half. A little more than two minutes later Wautoma got on the board with a bucket from Bryn Gunderson, 2-5.
From that point on the Havlovitz sisters took control of the game, starting with 5 points from Laney, including a 3-point shot, and another bucket from Cali for a 12-2 Ladycat lead. Clare Williams added to that lead, 14-2, with 2 free throws with 8:55 on the clock. Alayna Panich attempted to cut into that lead with a 3-point shot for the Lady Hornets, and added another one before halftime.
Wild Rose had a good lead, but Wautoma’s Madylyn Woyak and Aspen Groskreutz each put in a bucket in the hopes of cutting the hosts’ lead. L. Havlovitz added 4 points, and C. Havlovitz 6 points including 2 free throws, to possess a 24-12 advantage for Wild Rose, who had just 4 fouls in the half to Wautoma’s 8.
The Havlovitz sisters controlled the scoring in the second half as well, but it was Mya Bahr who got things going with 2 free throws to increase the Ladycat lead, 26-12, and added a bucket later on. Sydney Dunn got the Lady Hornets going offensively with a bucket, and later a 3-pointer as Wautoma eventually initiated a comeback. Wautoma would outscore Wild Rose in the half, but L. Havlovitz produced 12 points, going 7-10 at the line, while C. Havlovitz came up with 8 points, including a 3-point shot as the hosts saw their lead dwindle. Bri Buechner produced 12 big points for the visitors, hitting three 3-point shots and 3 of 6 free throws. Montana Groskreutz rolled up 7 points with a 3-pointer and 2 of 2 free throws. A. Groskreutz also added 7 points with two 3-point shots. Maddy Meyer contributed 2 of 2 free throws to aid in Wautoma’s closing of the gap.
When time expired, it was Wild Rose coming out with the win, 51-45.
“It was a typical Hwy 22 rivalry challenge,” stated Wild Rose Head Coach Brett Brooks. We did a really nice job, only went 6 deep, but played really, really smart tonight. Mya Bahr did lots of nice things to keep them outside. Gracie Thompson and Emica Marquez did a good job. Laney and Cali Havlovitz carried us on offense. The real difference in the game was at the free throw line, which kind of helped out down the line. That’s how you win close games.”
Laney Havlovitz topped all scorers with 21 Wild Rose points, hitting two 3-point goals and 7 of 10 free throws. Cali Havlovitz wasn’t far behind with 18 points, hitting a 3-point goal and 3 of 4 free throws. Clare Williams contributed 4 of 6 free throws, while Emica Marquez contributed a 3-point goals.
The Ladycats recorded four 3-point goals and 17 of 26 free throws, while committing 15 fouls.
Bri Buechner led the eight Wautoma scorers with 12 points, hitting three 3-point goals and 3 of 6 free throws. Aspen Groskreutz wasn’t far behind with 9 points, hitting two 3-point goals. Montana Groskreutz contributed 7 points, hitting a 3-point goal and 2 of 2 free throws, while Alayna Panich had two 3-point goals for 6 points, and Sydney Dunn 5 points with a 3-point goal. Maddy Meyer chipped in 2 of 2 free throws.
The Lady Hornets recorded nine 3-point goals, 8 of 12 free throws, and had 19 fouls.
