Wolves survive Spartans

LUXEMBURG – In a non-conference clash on Wednesday, Dec. 27, the Algoma girls traveled to Luxemburg and bumped off the Spartans by a final score of 45-44 in a game that saw the Wolves power their way to a big early lead before having to hold off the surging home team down the stretch.

“Fatigue kicked in a little bit there,” said Algoma head coach Mark Zastrow on Wednesday’s close finish. “Credit to Luxemburg. They played hard and pressed us to start out. We beat it early and that’s how we got our lead. And then, at the end of the game, that fatigue showed up and they got back into it. But I’m super proud of our kids. They work hard and they want to win.”

Jadyn Nellis had the hot hand for Algoma early in this game, draining a pair of big three pointers early in the game as the visitors jumped out to a 21-9 advantage on its way to a 29-18 edge going into the halftime break.

The Wolves, now 7-5 overall and 4-2 in Packerland Conference play, maintained that 11-point advantage for a handful of possessions to start the second half before the Spartans began to claw their way back into it.

A drive and score by Brooke Mattson kicked off a run of six unanswered for L-C before Nellis snapped the Wolves out of it with a drive to the basket and two points. Up next, Alana Mrotek scored to bring L-C to withinseven at 42-35 with just over three minutes left to play.

The Wolves couldn’t get the ball into play on their following possession, resulting in a turnover on a five-second violation that resulted in a SIerra Blohowiak three-pointer at the other end to make it 42-28.

The late-game drama not yet over, Brianna Bray hit another three pointer to get Algoma to within a field goal at 43-41. The Wolves did their job at the free throw line down the stretch to make it 45-41, which they definitely needed as Mrotek hit a three-pointer at the buzzer to make it a one-point game.

“We didn’t come out ready at all in the first half,” said L-C head coach Beth Budnik, whose team is now 5-3 overall, 5-2 in North Eastern Conference action. “Algoma came out ready and they took it to us, put us in a hole. We’re still trying to figure out what works. But we just couldn’t make shots tonight, couldn’t rebound. They outhustled us.”

Storm alone in first place

STURGEON BAY – The Kewaunee High girls basketball team won its fifth straight game on Thursday, Dec. 21 with a 47-33 victory over Sevastopol and, in doing so, took sole possession of the Packerland Conference’s top spot.

The Storm, now 5-0 in conference play and 9-0 overall, got 18 points and four rebounds from Brianna Demmin along with 10 points, eight boards and an assist from Braelyn Chevalier,

Wolves sink Clippers

STURGEON BAY – The Algoma girls turned in a gritty performance on Thursday, Dec. 21 as they overcame a 19-15 halftime deficit to take a 43-30 road victory over over Sturgeon Bay.

Ryley Zimmerman turned in 12 points to lead the Wolves, followed by 11 from Jadyn Nellis and eight from Brooke Mattson.

Algoma beats Two Rivers

ALGOMA – The Wolves got off to a hot start on Friday, Dec. 22 at home, leading Two Rivers 27-14 at halftime en route to a 48-34 victory, their fourth in a row.

Sierra Slaby was Algoma’s high scorer with 14 points, followed by 13 from Ryley Zimmerman, seven from Jadyn Nellis and six from Brooke Mattson.

Spartans smash Mustangs

LUXEMBURG – The Luxemburg-Casco girls made quick work of Little Chute on Friday, Dec. 22 at home, jumping out to a 29-7 first half lead on the way to closing it out with a final score of 47-18.

Brianna Bray turned in 10 points to lead the Spartans in scoring, followed by eight from Erin Cherovsky and five apiece from Alana Mrotek, Sienna Blohowiak, Gabrielle Wech and Magdeline Hanmann.