Jr. High Girls Play Greeley Co.
The junior high girls basketball teams recorded two wins over the Greeley County Lady Jackrabbits in St. Francis on Thursday, December 6. The A-team girls smacked the visiting Rabbits 41-9. The B-Team Lady Indians handed Greeley County (GC) a 29-25 loss.
In A-team action, St. Francis jumped out to a 23-0 lead and cruised through the second half to win easily over the visiting Lady Jackrabbits. The Lady Indians' defensive pressure caused the Lady Rabbits difficulties, and the Lady Rabbits recorded many more turnovers than shot attempts in the first half. Rian Zimbal's post basket opened the scoring. It was followed by two free-throws by Ellee Krien and an early GC time-out at 5:05 to prevent another turnover against the pressing defense of the Lady Indians. Krien's steal-two was followed by another Krien steal and assist leading to a basket by Molly Gilliland. Rian Zimbal's stick-back bucket moved the score to 10-0. Krien's next steal-two preceded the second Lady Jackrabbit crossing of mid-court at 3:01. Two assists by Krien, both leading to baskets by Zimbal, plus a Zimbal charity toss completed the first period scoring. St. Francis led 17-0.
The Lady Indians reduced their defensive pressure somewhat in the second period allowing the Lady Jackrabbits to run a bit of offense. The advantage continued to grow with the addition of three Lady Indian scores. Molly Gilliland's high-low post assist to Rian Zimbal accounted for the first score. Zimbal also scored the second basket on an assist from Ellee Krien. Makaila Matthies nailed a left-wing shot to increase the margin to 23-0. Though the Lady Indians did not shoot well during the period, the margin continued to increase. Greeley County's Jadyn Mangan (6th) scored the Lady Rabbits' first points with 10 seconds left in the first half. St. Francis led at halftime 23-2.
The Lady Indians played 8 of the 9 players suited in the third period and all 9 in the final period. The Lady Indians continued to roll. After a free-throw by Rian Zimbal, Ellee Krien added a stick-back basket and a top-of-the-key trey. Leading 29-2, the Lady Indians took a time-out at 3:52. After St. Francis scored on a well-executed out-of-bounds play, Iliany Yanez scored from the left baseline for Greeley County. A nice assist by Karlyn Woelk (7th) to Mangan resulted in consecutive GC baskets narrowing the margin to 31-6. Jesslynn Houtman soon answered with a lay-up for the Lady Indians. After a GC time-out at 1:52, Zimbal made a nice assist leading to a basket on a cut to the goal by Krien. GC added a free-throw, and St. Francis earned one more basket in the period on an assist by Bree De Waal to Zimbal in the post. The Lady Indians led 37-7 after three quarters of play.
Only three baskets were scored in the final quarter; two by Rian Zimbal, one on an assist from Molly Gilliland and one on a break. the third basket was scored by Yanez for GC. St. Francis cruised to a 41-9 win.
St. Francis was led in scoring by Rian Zimbal with 20 and Ellee Krien with 15. Makaila Matthies, Molly Gilliland, and Jesslynn Houtman each added 2. The Lady Indians made 4 of 13 from the stripe and committed 6 fouls.
Greeley County was led in scoring by Iliany Yanez and Annabelle Schnieder; each with 4. The Lady Rabbits made 1 of 4 from the line and were whistled for 11 fouls.
In B-team action, St. Francis jumped out to an early lead and though they were out-scored in both of the final two quarters, held on to win 29-25. The Lady Indians earned 6 points by Makaila Matthies and 4 by Matilynn Smull in the first period to lead 10-2. Baskets by Smull, Maggie Hingst, and a free-throw by Jacki Milliken in the second period increased the lead slightly to 15-6 at halftime.
Karlyn Woelk (8th) scored 9 points in the second half for the Lady Jackrabbits; 6 in the third period. St. Francis held a 20-14 lead at the third quarter break and won the contest 29-25. The Lady Indians made five free-throws in the final period to preserve the win.
Scoring for St. Francis in the B-team contest were Makaila Matthies 12, Matilynn Smull 8, Maggie Hingst 4, Jacki Milliken 2, Kinley Havel 2, and Michelle Palasio 1. GC was led by Karlyn Woelk with 9 and Gabriele Mason (7th) with 6.
The Lady Indians will play Goodland in St. Francis on Tuesday, December 11.
Click the photos to see more photos!
