HIGHLAND - A defensive switch by the Albany girls basketball team propelled the Comets to a 54-36 win over Highland.
Albany only led 18-16 at halftime, but broke the game open in the third after switching to a zone defense, outscoring Highland 23-8 in the period.
"I thought we got off to a slow start but when we switched into our zone they had a hard time. We communicated well on defense and crashed the boards hard," said Albany coach Bryce Pickett.
Senior Kirstie Kauk led the Comets with 14 points. Senior Cassidy Bump added 13 and freshman Ashley Harris scored 10 in just her second varsity game.
"We spread the ball around real well. For (Harris) to put up 10 points in her second varsity game was a very good accomplishment," said Pickett.
Albany improved to 2-0 with the win. Pickett said that his team will need to start faster in their upcoming games.
"We have some real good competition coming up, and our conference is tough," said Pickett. "We're gonna have to start faster and play at a consistently high level to continue to get wins."
Brodhead 53, Clinton 41
CLINTON - The Brodhead girls basketball team picked up its second straight victory over a conference opponent Friday night, knocking off Clinton, 53-41.
"It was a battle. Clinton's a very good team, for us to go on the road and get the win was very important. I thought we fought hard," said Brodhead coach Brad Pickett.
Juniors Carly Mohns and Rachel Heller led the Cardinals offensively. Mohns scored 15 and Heller added 13 points.
Pickett also praised the play of junior Meg Duffield.
"She did a nice job defensively on their best player," he said. "She forced her into some tough shots."
The victory improved Brodhead's record to 2-0. Pickett said that he feels pretty good about the way his team has opened the season, especially having played two conference games right off the bat.
"I'm feeling pretty good. It's tough opening with two conference games. We've beat two of the better teams in our conference. We've got to cut down on turnovers and rebound better, but to start out 2-0 is a pretty good way to start the season."
CUBA CITY 40, DARLINGTON 29
CUBA CITY - The Redbirds dropped a defensive battle to rival Cuba City in the SWAL opener.
The Cubans jumped out to an 11-6 first quarter lead and led by nine points at halftime. The Cubans outscored the Redbirds 16-14 in the second half.
"It was a defenisve battle all night," Darlington coach Riley Fitzsimons said. "It's always a downer when we have to go to Cuba City early in the year. I think our team came away with some confidence knowing that we can play with one of the top teams in our conference and division. We will still get them at our house."
Darlington senior Cassidy Chambers scored a team-high nine points. Seniors Cassidy Cox and Tatum Evenstad each added six.
Black Hawk 34, Benton-Shullsburg 58
BENTON - Black Hawk was without Jen Wellnitz again Friday night, and the Warriors lost to Benton-Shullsburg, 58-34.
Black Hawk trailed from the get-go. Benton-Shullsburg held an 11-4 lead after the first quarter and led by 19 at halftime.
"Benton got out and trapped us early, which is what Potosi did (on Monday). I thought we handled the pressure a little bit better tonight," said Black Hawk coach Mike Flanagan. "We struggled to make shots. Benton shot the ball very, very well. But I thought our kids played hard."
Black Hawk was led in scoring by junior Michelle Flanagan, who put up 12 points. Five other players recorded points for the Warriors.
Flanagan said the Warriors need to improve defensively.
"We need to get better on defense. We've given up 69 and 58 points now in consecutive games. That's gonna hurt your defensive average."
Wellnitz, the defending Six Rivers East Conference Player of the Year, suffered a concussion in the team's first game and has not played since. Flanagan is hopeful that his team can grow in Wellnitz's absence and improve in the games to come.
"We should grow from these two losses," he said. "Hopefully they will learn ways to contribute in ways they didn't before."
Albany only led 18-16 at halftime, but broke the game open in the third after switching to a zone defense, outscoring Highland 23-8 in the period.
"I thought we got off to a slow start but when we switched into our zone they had a hard time. We communicated well on defense and crashed the boards hard," said Albany coach Bryce Pickett.
Senior Kirstie Kauk led the Comets with 14 points. Senior Cassidy Bump added 13 and freshman Ashley Harris scored 10 in just her second varsity game.
"We spread the ball around real well. For (Harris) to put up 10 points in her second varsity game was a very good accomplishment," said Pickett.
Albany improved to 2-0 with the win. Pickett said that his team will need to start faster in their upcoming games.
"We have some real good competition coming up, and our conference is tough," said Pickett. "We're gonna have to start faster and play at a consistently high level to continue to get wins."
Brodhead 53, Clinton 41
CLINTON - The Brodhead girls basketball team picked up its second straight victory over a conference opponent Friday night, knocking off Clinton, 53-41.
"It was a battle. Clinton's a very good team, for us to go on the road and get the win was very important. I thought we fought hard," said Brodhead coach Brad Pickett.
Juniors Carly Mohns and Rachel Heller led the Cardinals offensively. Mohns scored 15 and Heller added 13 points.
Pickett also praised the play of junior Meg Duffield.
"She did a nice job defensively on their best player," he said. "She forced her into some tough shots."
The victory improved Brodhead's record to 2-0. Pickett said that he feels pretty good about the way his team has opened the season, especially having played two conference games right off the bat.
"I'm feeling pretty good. It's tough opening with two conference games. We've beat two of the better teams in our conference. We've got to cut down on turnovers and rebound better, but to start out 2-0 is a pretty good way to start the season."
CUBA CITY 40, DARLINGTON 29
CUBA CITY - The Redbirds dropped a defensive battle to rival Cuba City in the SWAL opener.
The Cubans jumped out to an 11-6 first quarter lead and led by nine points at halftime. The Cubans outscored the Redbirds 16-14 in the second half.
"It was a defenisve battle all night," Darlington coach Riley Fitzsimons said. "It's always a downer when we have to go to Cuba City early in the year. I think our team came away with some confidence knowing that we can play with one of the top teams in our conference and division. We will still get them at our house."
Darlington senior Cassidy Chambers scored a team-high nine points. Seniors Cassidy Cox and Tatum Evenstad each added six.
Black Hawk 34, Benton-Shullsburg 58
BENTON - Black Hawk was without Jen Wellnitz again Friday night, and the Warriors lost to Benton-Shullsburg, 58-34.
Black Hawk trailed from the get-go. Benton-Shullsburg held an 11-4 lead after the first quarter and led by 19 at halftime.
"Benton got out and trapped us early, which is what Potosi did (on Monday). I thought we handled the pressure a little bit better tonight," said Black Hawk coach Mike Flanagan. "We struggled to make shots. Benton shot the ball very, very well. But I thought our kids played hard."
Black Hawk was led in scoring by junior Michelle Flanagan, who put up 12 points. Five other players recorded points for the Warriors.
Flanagan said the Warriors need to improve defensively.
"We need to get better on defense. We've given up 69 and 58 points now in consecutive games. That's gonna hurt your defensive average."
Wellnitz, the defending Six Rivers East Conference Player of the Year, suffered a concussion in the team's first game and has not played since. Flanagan is hopeful that his team can grow in Wellnitz's absence and improve in the games to come.
"We should grow from these two losses," he said. "Hopefully they will learn ways to contribute in ways they didn't before."
