The Wild Rose Ladycats changed things up against the Pacelli Lady Cardinals to stage a 39-32 victory in girls’ basketball play on Feb. 16, and secure a conference championship for the second year in a row.
“Man, did the girls answer the call tonight,” exclaimed Wild rose Head Coach Brett Brooks. “They played like champions. We did stuff we don’t ordinarily do. Outside of playing man-to-man, we switched things up and it paid off for us. Emica Marquez and Gracie Thompson did a great job down low defensively which took some pressure off of Laney Havlovitz. Laney did well staying composed when she was boxed out. Clare Williams, Mya Bahr, Laney, and Cali Havlovitz all did a phenomenal job.”
The game was not high scoring, but the teams scrapped, picked up plenty of steals and missed many shots they’d ordinarily make.
Wild Rose possessed a 7-point lead a couple times in the final five minutes of the first half, but it was reduced to 5 each time as halftime arrived. Cali Havlovitz led the four Wild Rose scorers with 6 points as her sister Laney handled 5 points with a 3-point goal, Mya Bahr 4 points with a 3, and Emica Marquez with a 3.
Pacelli’s three scorers in the half were led by Amelia Jacoby’s 7 points, followed by Kaylin Yenter’s 4 points. The visitors trailed 18-13 with both teams committing 6 fouls in the first half.
Wild Rose maintained a good lead for most of the second half, beginning with a 3-point shot from L. Havlovitz, only to have it shortened to 5 points soon afterwards. The lead was extended to 13 with 3 more points from L. Havlovitz, 2 from C. Havlovitz, and a 3 from Clare Williams. The Ladycat lead would be reduced to 7, then back up to 11.
The hosts went on to stage the passing of the ball a lot with the girls moving around and it worked out for them. L. Havlovitz put in 4 more points in the half, as well as C. Havlovitz including 2 of 2 free throws to help ensure the win.
The visitors attempted to stop their hosts with 8 points from Jacoby, 5 from Anna Van Order, going 3 of 4 at the free throw line, and 4 from Yenter, but the Lady Cardinals couldn’t quite put enough together. Pacelli fell 39-32 in the end.
The Ladycats’ five scorers were led by Laney Havlovitz’s 15 points, featuring two 3-point goals, and Cali Havlovitz’s 12 points which included 2 of 2 free throws. Emica Marquez contributed 5 points based on a 3-point goal, Mya Bahr 4 points with a 3-point goal and Clare Williams a 3-point goal.
Wild Rose recorded five 3-point goals, 4 of 7 free throws, and 13 fouls.
The Lady Cardinals’ four scorers were led by Amelia Jacoby’s 15 points. Kaylin Yenter gathered 8 points, and Anna Van Order 7, going 3-4 at the free throw line.
Pacelli recorded 4 of 7 free throws and 15 fouls.
