Clutch Kroll scores game-winner

Algoma lost its star point guard and a shot at a conference co-championship in a heartbreaking loss to Kewaunee Monday night, 54-52.

Even with senior Jadyn Nellis going down with what would prove to be a season-ending injury to her fibula just two minutes into the game, the Wolves had a chance at the end, but didn’t get off a shot as the clock ran out.

“It could have went either way,” said Coach Lynn Geier. “We knew they were going to be ready. They’re big. I think they’re going to be a sleeper in the tournament.”

The Storm’s senior star Jade Kroll showed why she’ll almost certainly be named the Packerland Conference’s Player of the Year for the third straight season, scoring 24 points — including the game-winner, a driving kiss off the glass with about 14 seconds remaining.
Algoma trailed by 10, 36-26, after a Kroll “and one” drive and free throw with 15 minutes left, but battled back to tie the game at 52 after back-to-back buckets underneath by senior post player Therese Gerdmann.

“For Jadyn to go down that early and for our kids to not miss a beat, so proud of them,” said Algoma Coach Mark Zastrow. “She’s our leader. All the kids could have went, ‘Oh, no, we lost our leader.’ But at that point it was like, ‘We have to do this for our leader.’ There was no hesitation, there was just a mental toughness and a belief.”

Kewaunee’s student fan base had no mercy on Algoma freshman Reagan Schneider, loudly chanting, “Airball, airball!” not just after an errant shot, but every time she touched the basketball.

“She felt it,” said Zastrow. “At halftime, she was shook. I just said, ‘You know what you can do. You can’t worry about that. Do you want to go?’ She said, ‘Yes I do.’ I said ‘Okay, then go out there and do it. It’s not going to be perfect. You’re a varsity player. You got this.’ And for her to be able to grind through that, she did a great job.”

He continued, “She made some big shots for us, and a lot of energy plays. She went and got three or four loose balls, or rebounds, and made a great pass to Lauren underneath. As a freshman, for her to fight through that and help her team, really happy for her.”

Sophomore Lauren Loucks led the Wolves with 14 points. Schneider added 11, Claire Gerdmann and Sadie Rikkola each nine, Therese Gerdmann eight and Nellis the team’s first point, a free throw. Rikkola had three 3s, and Schneider two.

Kroll had a trio of triples among her baskets. Summer Walechka added a dozen points.

Last Friday, Kewaunee got five 3s from Kroll and 23 points overall — 20 in the first half — in a 68-21 win over Sturgeon Bay. Stangel added 17, Walechka 13 and Karla Swagel eight.
Kewaunee was expected to finish the regular season 14-0 in the Packerland and 19-5 overall after hosting last-place Gibraltar Thursday. The Storm earned its third straight conference title, including a co-championship three years ago and back-to-back solo crowns.
Meanwhile, Algoma ended 12-2 conference and was 13-8 overall heading into Friday night’s regular-season finale at Freedom.

The Wolves got 19 points from Nellis, including five three-pointers, in a 66-17 win at Gibraltar last Friday. Loucks added 15, Schneider 13 (two 3s) and Claire Gerdmann seven.

L-C hosts D-2 regional

The Spartans wrapped up their regular season Thursday hosting Oconto Falls. The team earned a number four seed in Div. 2 regionals and will host number five Plymouth Friday, Feb. 27.

Earlier, Luxemburg-Casco used a balanced attack to beat Clintonville Tuesday, 56-28. Chloe Host (14), Karsyn Walczyl (13) and Alana Mrotek (12) combined for 39 points in the win. Mrotek had a trio of three-pointers in the second half.

Last Friday, Host had a team-high eight in a 44-27 loss to Freedom.