Round one goes to the Storm

A one-two punch of Jade Kroll and Braelyn Chevalier on the offensive end and the hounding defense of Gabby Stangel and company helped Kewaunee earn a 54-41 win over Algoma in a battle of Packerland Conference unbeatens Tuesday night.

Kroll scored 15 of her game-high 21 in the first half, including a three-pointer for Kewaunee’s first lead at 3-2 more than two minutes in, and back-to-back triples in the final minute of the first half as the Storm took a 27-19 lead.

After a Jadyn Nellis three put Algoma on top 5-3, Chevalier got a rebound put-back to tie it, then hit a pair of free throws. Freshman Reagan Schneider came in off the bench and drilled a three-pointer for the Wolves’ last lead, 8-7, more than five minutes into the game.

From there, Summer Walechka hit a jump shot, then Kroll a pair of layups on turnovers and it was quickly 13-8. Sadie Rikkola followed with a slashing drive and left hand finish off the glass, but Chevalier made a free throw and Kroll a driving hoop for a six-point lead.

Claire Gerdmann got an offensive rebound put-back, and Rikkola another solid drive and left-hand finish to make it 16-14 with just over six minutes left.

Ashley Volgallanz’s only bucket of the night came next off a lob from Walechka, and Summer got a bucket herself soon after for a 20-14 lead. Lauren Loucks’ rebound and put-back cut it to four.

Kroll and Nellis traded triples, and it was 23-19 with under a minute left before Kroll hit another long bomb from the left side.

Chevalier scored 10 of her 15 points in the second half (including a three-pointer), while Karla Swagel had all six of hers and Stangel a three and a free throw to help the Storm outscore the Wolves 28-22 after intermission.

Kewaunee led by 13 with just over eight minutes remaining, but a triple by Nellis, inside banker by Gerdmann and two 3s from Rikkola — one of them a banker — were part of an 11-4 run to cut it to 45-39 with 4:40 left. It was still a six-point game, 47-41, with less than three minutes to go, but the Wolves couldn’t get any more shots to fall while the Storm picked up some fast-break buckets from Chevalier and Kroll for the final score.

Kewaunee improved to 10-2 on the season, while the Wolves are 7-6 overall.

“They’ve dominated us the last couple years,” said Algoma Coach Mark Zastrow. “I thought our energy and effort was outstanding. We just have to be a little more consistent when it comes to the opportunity when you beat that pressure, to score. We’re doing the right things, we just need to finish. We’re right there.”

Nellis led a balanced Algoma attack with 11 points, including three 3s. Rikkola and Gerdmann each had 10 points.

Storm coach Lynn Geier said it was a big win.

“We knew there was a target on our back,” she said. “They’ve got a tough team, they’re big. We are young and raw in the post. They’re coming along, working hard, but our guards have to carry us for now. Four of them never came out the entire game.”

Walechka and Stangel combined for just 10 points, but Geier said it was their defense that helped carry the team to victory.

“Credit to Kewaunee for making plays down the stretch. We need to take care of business. There’s still a whole second half we have to play for. We talked about having a meaningful game at the end of the year, and that’s our goal,” Zastrow said.

Round two of the War on the Shore is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 16 at Fulwiler Fieldhouse in Algoma.

The Storm’s Breanna Riha is back practicing this week. She expects to see her first game this weekend at Gibraltar.

Meanwhile, Freedom beat Luxemburg-Casco Friday, 58-54. The Irish made 18 of 28 free throws, the Spartans 13 of 19. Brianna Bray had 13 points and Alayna Mrotek 12 to lead L-C. Each made three 3s. Alayna Deprez added 10 points and Sienna Blohowiak 8. L-C is 6-7 on the season.