MONROE - Claire Scott and the Darlington girls basketball team prepared for Cuba City's 1-3-1 halfcourt trap.
Cuba City instead used a stifling man-to-man fullcourt press and rolled to a 56-37 win over the Redbirds in a WIAA Division 4 sectional semifinal Wednesday night. The season-ending loss was Darlington's third to Cuba City this year.
"We knew they would come out with the pressure," said Scott, who had a team-high 12 points and seven rebounds. "We didn't know it would be that intense. We had a game plan for it, but it kind of fell through our hands."
The Redbirds (18-7) were plagued by 22 turnovers, and the Cubans used the press to spark a 21-8 first quarter run.
"We spent a lot of time on their 1-3-1 halfcourt trap and not their man press," Darlington coach Riley Fitzsimons said. "We didn't have a problem breaking it in the first two games. Maybe it was my fault because we didn't work on it enough. They did a good job of switching it up with fullcourt, three-quarters court and halfcourt. We just weren't mentally ready for it."
This is the second time in the last three years that the Redbirds have reached the sectional semifinal. Two years ago, Darlington reached the sectional semifinal and lost to Belleville. Scott, a senior, will always remember the accomplishments the Redbirds' senior class achieved together.
"Making history and winning two regionals in three years is something special to have in your career," she said. "I hope that I inspired some younger girls to reach the level of success that we have had."
Cuba City sophomore Mollie Wedige scored all seven of her points in the first quarter surge. She scored down low and on a putback that turned into a three-point play, to give the Cubans a 12-4 lead with 5 minutes, 27 seconds left in the first quarter. Cuba City freshman Kaitlyn Kaiser, who scored a game-high 14 points, scored on a putback and senior Kayla Marti drilled a 3-pointer moments later to give the Cubans a 21-8 lead.
"I love our press," Cuba City coach Jeff Pustina said. "We wanted to be more aggressive with our man press. We didn't want to be passive. We wanted to get after it a little bit more."
Scott picked up two fouls early in the first half. The Redbirds had three players foul out including senior Cassidy Chambers, senior Abigail Merriam and senior Tatum Evenstad.
"Basically, what it came down to was Claire getting two fouls in the first half," Fitzsimons said. "When we don't have her out there, the play at that position drops and girls get put in positions they are not used to playing."
The Cubans used a 17-5 second quarter run to take control of the game. Darlington senior Alexa Hardyman drilled a 3-pointer with 5:17 left in the second quarter to cut the Cubans' lead to 23-13. Cuba City sophomore Chloe Pustina answered by hitting a 3-pointer. In addition to the pressure defense forcing turnovers by the Redbirds, the Cubans had 15 offensive rebounds that led to many second-chance scoring opportunities. Kaiser scored on a putback and fouled with 4:21 left in the second quarter. She converted the three-point play to give the Cubans a 29-13 lead.
The Redbirds tried to rally from a 20-point halftime deficit in the second half. The Redbirds outscored the Cubans 20-18 in the second half. Scott scored 10 of her 12 points in the second half. Chambers scored 10 points and made 8 of 9 free throws. Hardyman chipped in seven points.
In addition to Kaiser, Chloe Pustina scored 13 points and freshman Jessi Marti added 12 points for the Cubans. Jeff Pustina was proud of his team's offensive balance.
"That is what Cuba City basketball has been about over the years," he said of the balanced scoring. "We take what the defense gives us. It can't be just a one man show or you will be one and done."
Fitzsimons will always remember his first season as a coach.
"I told them they have nothing to hang their heads about," he said. "They have a lot to be proud of. I don't think there has been a more successful team at Darlington than them making it to the sectional two of the last three years."
Cuba City instead used a stifling man-to-man fullcourt press and rolled to a 56-37 win over the Redbirds in a WIAA Division 4 sectional semifinal Wednesday night. The season-ending loss was Darlington's third to Cuba City this year.
"We knew they would come out with the pressure," said Scott, who had a team-high 12 points and seven rebounds. "We didn't know it would be that intense. We had a game plan for it, but it kind of fell through our hands."
The Redbirds (18-7) were plagued by 22 turnovers, and the Cubans used the press to spark a 21-8 first quarter run.
"We spent a lot of time on their 1-3-1 halfcourt trap and not their man press," Darlington coach Riley Fitzsimons said. "We didn't have a problem breaking it in the first two games. Maybe it was my fault because we didn't work on it enough. They did a good job of switching it up with fullcourt, three-quarters court and halfcourt. We just weren't mentally ready for it."
This is the second time in the last three years that the Redbirds have reached the sectional semifinal. Two years ago, Darlington reached the sectional semifinal and lost to Belleville. Scott, a senior, will always remember the accomplishments the Redbirds' senior class achieved together.
"Making history and winning two regionals in three years is something special to have in your career," she said. "I hope that I inspired some younger girls to reach the level of success that we have had."
Cuba City sophomore Mollie Wedige scored all seven of her points in the first quarter surge. She scored down low and on a putback that turned into a three-point play, to give the Cubans a 12-4 lead with 5 minutes, 27 seconds left in the first quarter. Cuba City freshman Kaitlyn Kaiser, who scored a game-high 14 points, scored on a putback and senior Kayla Marti drilled a 3-pointer moments later to give the Cubans a 21-8 lead.
"I love our press," Cuba City coach Jeff Pustina said. "We wanted to be more aggressive with our man press. We didn't want to be passive. We wanted to get after it a little bit more."
Scott picked up two fouls early in the first half. The Redbirds had three players foul out including senior Cassidy Chambers, senior Abigail Merriam and senior Tatum Evenstad.
"Basically, what it came down to was Claire getting two fouls in the first half," Fitzsimons said. "When we don't have her out there, the play at that position drops and girls get put in positions they are not used to playing."
The Cubans used a 17-5 second quarter run to take control of the game. Darlington senior Alexa Hardyman drilled a 3-pointer with 5:17 left in the second quarter to cut the Cubans' lead to 23-13. Cuba City sophomore Chloe Pustina answered by hitting a 3-pointer. In addition to the pressure defense forcing turnovers by the Redbirds, the Cubans had 15 offensive rebounds that led to many second-chance scoring opportunities. Kaiser scored on a putback and fouled with 4:21 left in the second quarter. She converted the three-point play to give the Cubans a 29-13 lead.
The Redbirds tried to rally from a 20-point halftime deficit in the second half. The Redbirds outscored the Cubans 20-18 in the second half. Scott scored 10 of her 12 points in the second half. Chambers scored 10 points and made 8 of 9 free throws. Hardyman chipped in seven points.
In addition to Kaiser, Chloe Pustina scored 13 points and freshman Jessi Marti added 12 points for the Cubans. Jeff Pustina was proud of his team's offensive balance.
"That is what Cuba City basketball has been about over the years," he said of the balanced scoring. "We take what the defense gives us. It can't be just a one man show or you will be one and done."
Fitzsimons will always remember his first season as a coach.
"I told them they have nothing to hang their heads about," he said. "They have a lot to be proud of. I don't think there has been a more successful team at Darlington than them making it to the sectional two of the last three years."
