BRODHEAD - The Cardinals had a big task ahead of them against Orfordville Parkview. The Vikings and Brodhead were each tied atop of the Rock Valley South conference, and the winner would have the inside track for the girls basketball conference title.
Luckily for the Cardinals, a number of players stepped up in possibly the biggest game of the year so far, helping Brodhead win 55-41.
Parkview (14-3, 11-2) had its mind set on stopping the Cardinals' post players. When Kristen Ruchti got into early foul trouble, the Vikings thought they had succeeded.
Ruchti picked up two quick fouls and sat much of the second quarter. Parkview had taken a 12-3 lead after the first quarter, and 22-17 by halftime.
Then, in the third, Brodhead (13-3, 12-1) exploded. Ruchti was inserted back into the lineup, but it was senior Leah Hegi and junior Megan Heller who made the biggest noise. Hegi hit three jumpers and Heller added a pair of 3-pointers, as Brodhead outscored Parkview 20-8 in the third.
In the fourth, Hegi drained a dagger 3-pointer, and Brodhead shot 11-for-15 from the free throw line and finished on a 38-19 run.
Dana Lewis scored 12 points to lead the Cardinals. Heller finished with three 3-pointers for all of her scoring. Hegi scored nine, Ruchti and Courtney Mielke each had eight, and Alyssa Harding scored six.
Brodhead has four games left in the regular season, with three big conference games. After Saturday's non-conference game at Dodgeville, the Cardinals face Walworth Big Foot (9-6, 8-4), Palmyra-Eagle (3-13) and Beloit Turner (0-14, 0-12).
The Cards can clinch no worse than a tie for a conference title with two more league wins.
Luckily for the Cardinals, a number of players stepped up in possibly the biggest game of the year so far, helping Brodhead win 55-41.
Parkview (14-3, 11-2) had its mind set on stopping the Cardinals' post players. When Kristen Ruchti got into early foul trouble, the Vikings thought they had succeeded.
Ruchti picked up two quick fouls and sat much of the second quarter. Parkview had taken a 12-3 lead after the first quarter, and 22-17 by halftime.
Then, in the third, Brodhead (13-3, 12-1) exploded. Ruchti was inserted back into the lineup, but it was senior Leah Hegi and junior Megan Heller who made the biggest noise. Hegi hit three jumpers and Heller added a pair of 3-pointers, as Brodhead outscored Parkview 20-8 in the third.
In the fourth, Hegi drained a dagger 3-pointer, and Brodhead shot 11-for-15 from the free throw line and finished on a 38-19 run.
Dana Lewis scored 12 points to lead the Cardinals. Heller finished with three 3-pointers for all of her scoring. Hegi scored nine, Ruchti and Courtney Mielke each had eight, and Alyssa Harding scored six.
Brodhead has four games left in the regular season, with three big conference games. After Saturday's non-conference game at Dodgeville, the Cardinals face Walworth Big Foot (9-6, 8-4), Palmyra-Eagle (3-13) and Beloit Turner (0-14, 0-12).
The Cards can clinch no worse than a tie for a conference title with two more league wins.
