The Wild Rose Ladycats earned a trip to the girls’ basketball regional finals with a semi-final 68-34 win over the Central Wisconsin Christian Lady Crusaders on Feb. 24.
“It was the first game all year we hit on all cylinders,” stated Wild Rose Head Coach Brett Brooks, “Each girl played a significant role. Everyone contributed. We played zone – the best we played all year. We played as a team, just phenomenal. Gracie (Thompson) and Emica (Marquez) gave us good contributions offensively.”
Wild Rose got off to a 9-0 start, with it taking about 2 minutes for Central Wisconsin Christian to score 2 points. The hosts’ lead was extended to 17-2 before the visitors were able to score again with a 3-pointer from Taylor Hoffman with about 12:00 showing on the clock.
Laney Havlovitz led the Ladycat attack with 16 points, starting with a 3, hitting 3 of 4 free throw attempts, and ending with a bucket at the halftime buzzer. Along the way Emica Marquez contributed 3 points, ending with a 3-pointer, while Cali Havlovitz also contributed 5 points, only starting with a 3-point shot. Gracie Thompson put up 4 points and Clare Williams a 3-pointer to keep the advantage climbing. By passing the ball around and keeping “bodies” moving for more than 1:30, the hosts were able to maintain a 34-11 lead at halftime.
The Lady Crusaders received another 3 from Hoffman as she got a little help from two other teammates in the half. The visitors were in definite need to dig themselves out of the hole they were in, but only committed 4 fouls compared to the hosts’ 8.
The second half had CWC picking up its’ scoring efforts as Samantha Braskamp hit an early 3 to start things off. Elise Ritzema stepped up with 13 points, going 3-3 at the free throw line, with help from Emma Hoffman’s 5 points, beginning with a 3. Kate DeVries chipped in 2 of 2 free throws to help cut the deficit to 16, but Wild Rose was not to be denied its’ victory.
Everyone had an opportunity to play. Marquez came up big for Wild Rose in the second half, producing 11 points with three 3’s. C. Havlovitz and Thompson each came up with 6-points, as did Mya Bahr with a 3-pointer included. L. Havlovitz eased up with 5 points including a 3-pointer. The hosts went into passing the ball constantly while moving around, which again paid off. As the game ended Marquez had put up her final 3 of the night to finish off the 68-34 win, thus helping to advance the Ladycats to the regional finals at Oshkosh Lourdes on Feb. 25.
Laney Havlovitz topped all scorers with 21 points, hitting 3 of 4 free throws and one 3-pointer. The other five Wild Rose scorers got a life from Emica Marquez’s 16 points, hitting four 3’s. Cali Havlovitz helped herself to 11 points, hitting a 3, while Gracie Thompson gathered 10 points. Mya Bahr put up 7 points behind a 3-pointer, and Clare Williams chipped in a 3.
The Ladycats recorded eight 3-point goals, 5 of 9 free throws, and 16 fouls.
Central Wisconsin Christian was led by Elise Ritzema’s 13 points, hitting 3 of 3 free throws. Emma Hoffman gathered 7 points with a 3-point shot and 2 of 4 free throws, while Taylor Hoffman gathered 6 points on two 3’s. Samantha Braskamp contributed 5 points behind a 3-pointer, and Kate De Vries 2 of 2 free throws.
The Lady Crusaders recorded four 3-point goals, 8 of 11 free throws, and 12 fouls.
