Lady Pioneers advance to State for second year

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The Westfield Pioneers have had quite the journey throughout the 2021-22 season, going undefeated in the South Central Conference while tallying up 27 wins. The team made it all the way back to State for the second year in a row for the WIAA Division 4 girls’ basketball state semi-final at the Green Bay Resch Center on March 10.

Westfield fought hard to claim the State Championship title, but were faced with 26 turnovers from the Mineral Point’s Lady Pointers. The Lady Pointers defense helped score a 55-45 victory in favor of Mineral Point.

Tip-off went to Mineral Point, who started off with a 2-pointer on the board. Westfield’s Nadia Hoffa quickly countered their effort with a 3-pointer of her own. Mineral Point defense left little room for scoring and were able to take a 13-3 lead with 10:50 on the clock. The Lady Pioneers are not known to back down though, and with the help of two consecutive 2-pointers from Brandi Lentz and Carly Drew putting up 6 more points, the Lady Pioneers were only down 15-19 with 4:55 on the clock.

Haddie Showen was able to catch the team up even more, with the Pointers only having a 2-point lead with a few minutes left in the half. Mineral Point hit another 2 points to end the half in the lead 21-17.

Mineral Point ended the first half with 10 steals and 11 rebounds, while only managing to score 83.3% of their free throws. Mallory Lindsey put 11 points on the board, making her the top scorer in the half for the Lady Pointers

Westfield recorded 5 steals in the half, along with 15 rebounds and 100% of their free throws. Carly Drew and Brandi Lentz each scored 6 points, Nadia Hoffa 3, and Haddie Showen 2.

Mineral Point once again was the first to score in the second half with a 2 pointer, followed soon by a 3-pointer from Lindsey. C Drew’s 2-point layup was badly needed as the Lady Pioneers were down 19-31 a few minutes in the half. Westfield had a streak of luck after C. Drew went to the line for 2 points, that was quickly followed up with 2-pointers from Brandi Lentz, Trista Drew, and Nadia Hoffa. The Lady Pioneers were only 8 points behind with 8:20 on the clock. Mineral Point’s Ella Chambers was able to get the ball back in favor of the Lady Pointers, with 2 free throws giving the team a 41-29 advantage. Both teams took turns at the free throw line until the streak ended with a 2 point layup from Showen. Hoffa’s 2-pointer locked in Westfield’s final score 45-55 in favor of Mineral Point.

Mineral Point ended the night going 19-34 at the free throw line, 15 steals, and 22 rebounds. Mallory Lindsey was the top scorer for the Lady Pointers with 20 points on the board Ella Chambers was able to put 14 points on the board. Blair Watters scored 9 points, followed by Kennedy Wenger with 8, Katelyn Cox with 3, and Belle Watters with 1.

Westfield made 14-15 free throws as a team, as well as recording 10 steals and 29 rebounds. Carly Drew topped the Lady Pioneers’ scoreboard with 15 points while shooting 100% of her 7 free throws. Brandi Lentz put 10 points on the board and was able to record 9 rebounds. Haddie Showen and Nadia Hoffa each had 7 points, Trista Drew scored 4, and Sidney Hoffa scored 2.

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  • The Lady Pioneer basketball team gather for a pep talk before getting back into the game.
    The Lady Pioneer basketball team gather for a pep talk before getting back into the game.