After a halftime tie, the Wild Rose Ladycats pinned the wings of the Almond-Bancroft Lady Eagles for a 49-36 victory in girls’ basketball play on Jan. 24.
“We didn’t shoot well, but played defense,” stated Wild Rose Head Coach Brett Brooks. “We were able to get runs in full court press, which allowed us to settle in, and we controlled the second half. It took everyone doing their job on defense well. It was a big gut win – they really wanted it tonight. Over the last two games the girls have sown their maturity. Everybody had gotten their shots tonight, and Laney got into their usual pace.
Wild Rose had five scorers in the first half of play with Clare Williams putting up 7 points included a 3-point shot. Emma Marquez and Mya Bahr each gathered 4 points, with Marquez putting up a 3-point shot. Laney Havlovitz was held to a 3-point shot for a total of 20 Wild Rose points, and the Ladycats were charged with 11 fouls.
Almond-Bancroft totaled 20 points with four players. Lexie Dernbach put up 9 points which included a 3-point shot. Mya Dernbach came up with 4 points behind a 3-point shot, with Raegen Omernik going 4-4 at the free throw line, and Aaliyah Newby going 3-4. The Lady Eagles were only charged with 5 fouls in the half.
With about 12:00 to go in the second half of play the hosts led 28-25 before really taking control of the game. The Ladycats were leading by 9 points when the Lady Eagles began chipping away at it. Newby brought Almond back with 3, 36-33, with the first of her two 3’s in the half. From that point on Wild Rose had no trouble in keeping distance from Almond.
After Havlovitz put in 12 points, highlighted by two 3’s, she nailed 6 of 6 free throws as time wound down for a total of 18 points in the half. Williams gathered 5 points behind a 3 and 2 of 2 free throws, while Marquez chipped in a 3, and Bahr 3 points for a big lead.
Omernik handled 8 points in the half for Almond behind two 3’s, while Newby put in two 3’s, but it wouldn’t be enough as Wild Rose went on to win 49-36.
Wild Rose’s five scorers were topped by Laney Havlovitz’s 21 points with three 3’s and 6 of 6 free throws. Clare Williams was next in line with 12 points with two 3’s and 2 of 2 free throws. Emica Marquez and Mya Bahr each had 7 points, with Marquez having two 3’s.
The Ladycats totaled seven 3-point goals, 10 of 12 free throws, and 17 fouls.
Almond’s four scorers were led by Raegen Omernik’s 12 points with two 3’s and 4 of 4 free throws. Lexie Dernbach was close behind with 11 points, included a 3, while Aaliyah Newby’s 9 points came off of two 3’s and 3 of 4 free throws. Mya Dernbach chipped in a 3.
The Lady Eagles totaled six 3’s, 8 of 12 free throws, and 15 fouls.
