NEW GLARUS - It took some time to adjust to Waterloo's 2-3 zone, but once New Glarus girls basketball coach Kim Burton helped her players make the needed adjustments they took advantage by scoring easy baskets on their way to a 56-44 win Monday.
The Glarner Knights led 22-15 at the break. Waterloo made just one basket in the first half, but stayed in the game by making 13 free throws. The Pirates finished the game 20 of 30 from the foul line.
"We just had a lot of fouls," Burton said of the first half.
Burton also made an adjustment for the Knights in attacking Waterloo's 2-3 zone.
"We added a couple of cuts in our offense against the zone," Burton said. "It allowed for a little more movement."
New Glarus (8-9, 2-5 Capitol South) outscored the Pirates 34-29 in the second half.
New Glarus junior Willow Lee scored a team-high 14 points. Senior Sarah Rotar added 12 points, while junior Julia Barnaby and sophomore Lexi Krause each chipped in 10 points.
The Knights were coming off losses to Marshall and Belleville.
"We have been in a little bit of a slump," Burton said. "Our confidence and enthusiasm is low right now. Hopefully, this will help them."
Belmont 57, Albany 55
ALBANY - Albany rallied from a six-point deficit in the final minute and nearly pulled off a comeback before falling short in a nonconference loss to Belmont.
Albany junior Haley Freitag and sophomore Megan Anderson each drilled 3-pointers in the final minute to cut the Braves' lead to two points. With the ball and 4 seconds to go, the Comets had one final shot on an inbound play. Freitag just missed a 12-foot jumper, and Belmont survived.
"We were just one possession short," Albany coach Adam Wamsley said. "We had a good look. We fought hard until the end."
Albany sophomore Payton Zurfluh scored a game-high 20 points and junior Brook Kahler added 11 points. Freitag and junior Madeline Halverson each chipped in seven points.
"We are growing and learning to win games like this," Wamsley said.
The Comets (2-16) made 10 of 13 free throws.
Zurfluh knocked down two of the Comets' five 3-pointers. Anderson also hit two 3-pointers.
Kahler played at the top of the Comets' 1-3-1 zone and excelled.
"Brook played on top of the zone and she had a couple of steals and layups," Wamsley said. "It's definitely a good spot for her. She's a really quick player. We give her the green light to go after the ball and take it the other way."
Belmont's Caitlyn Gilbertson scored a team-high 18 points.
Albany will host Black Hawk on Thursday. Black Hawk (15-0) is ranked second in the Associated Press Division 5 state poll.
The Glarner Knights led 22-15 at the break. Waterloo made just one basket in the first half, but stayed in the game by making 13 free throws. The Pirates finished the game 20 of 30 from the foul line.
"We just had a lot of fouls," Burton said of the first half.
Burton also made an adjustment for the Knights in attacking Waterloo's 2-3 zone.
"We added a couple of cuts in our offense against the zone," Burton said. "It allowed for a little more movement."
New Glarus (8-9, 2-5 Capitol South) outscored the Pirates 34-29 in the second half.
New Glarus junior Willow Lee scored a team-high 14 points. Senior Sarah Rotar added 12 points, while junior Julia Barnaby and sophomore Lexi Krause each chipped in 10 points.
The Knights were coming off losses to Marshall and Belleville.
"We have been in a little bit of a slump," Burton said. "Our confidence and enthusiasm is low right now. Hopefully, this will help them."
Belmont 57, Albany 55
ALBANY - Albany rallied from a six-point deficit in the final minute and nearly pulled off a comeback before falling short in a nonconference loss to Belmont.
Albany junior Haley Freitag and sophomore Megan Anderson each drilled 3-pointers in the final minute to cut the Braves' lead to two points. With the ball and 4 seconds to go, the Comets had one final shot on an inbound play. Freitag just missed a 12-foot jumper, and Belmont survived.
"We were just one possession short," Albany coach Adam Wamsley said. "We had a good look. We fought hard until the end."
Albany sophomore Payton Zurfluh scored a game-high 20 points and junior Brook Kahler added 11 points. Freitag and junior Madeline Halverson each chipped in seven points.
"We are growing and learning to win games like this," Wamsley said.
The Comets (2-16) made 10 of 13 free throws.
Zurfluh knocked down two of the Comets' five 3-pointers. Anderson also hit two 3-pointers.
Kahler played at the top of the Comets' 1-3-1 zone and excelled.
"Brook played on top of the zone and she had a couple of steals and layups," Wamsley said. "It's definitely a good spot for her. She's a really quick player. We give her the green light to go after the ball and take it the other way."
Belmont's Caitlyn Gilbertson scored a team-high 18 points.
Albany will host Black Hawk on Thursday. Black Hawk (15-0) is ranked second in the Associated Press Division 5 state poll.
