NEW GLARUS — Belleville took advantage of sloppy play from the Glarner Knights and picked up a 53-45 Capitol South win Feb. 6.
The Wildcats jumped out to a 31-18 halftime lead thanks in part to New Glarus foul trouble and the Knights’ inability to take shots and advantage of turnovers.
“We’ve been struggling with consistency,” Knights coach Kim Burton said. “It’s frustrating when you get a steal and turn the ball right over — you do one positive thing and then turn right around and do a negative thing. It’s something that we’ve got to figure out.”
New Glarus committed 12 turnovers in the first half alone, compared to eight by Belleville. Most of those eight Wildcats turnovers came right back — either by anticipated steal, or by sloppy decision making on the part of the Knights.
“We’ve got to find a way to be more consistent and play every possession like it’s the most important one. We have to do a better job of taking care of the ball, finishing on the other end and boxing out for rebounds,” Burton said. “Kudos to Belleville, I think they won almost every 50/50 ball. They were just out there hustling and wanted it a little bit more than we did.”
It was a good stretch — everyone was positive, energetic, flying all over. But just like that, something can happen and it can end.Jaylynn Benson, New Glarus junior
New Glarus scored just six points in transition in the opening half, with two of those coming in the final minute after a long rebound and home run pass down the court.
The second half was a different story, however. Belleville took a 15-point lead seven minutes into the second, only to watch the Knights come roaring back one possession at a time.
New Glarus not only collected 16 Belleville turnovers in the second half, the Knights converted them for points time and time again. With just 2:28 left in regulation, New Glarus pulled to within two possessions at 47-42. Belleville turned the ball over an average of more than once per minute of play during the stretch.
“It was a good stretch — everyone was positive, energetic, flying all over. But just like that, something can happen and it can end,” said New Glarus junior Jaylynn Benson.
Unfortunately for New Glarus, the burst of energy was too little, too late.
“They don’t give up,” Burton said of her team. “They’ve just got to make smarter decisions throughout the game so they don’t dig themselves a hole.”
Benson led New Glarus with 19 points, while Lily Himmelmann had eight and Shea Klosterman-Havens had seven. The Knights also struggled from deep, finishing just 3 of 22 (14%) on shots from beyond the 3-point line.
“We need to just focus on consistency. Every possession counts. Every turnover is a chance we could have scored. I think if we can just get rid of turnovers we can have more luck,” Benson said.
Klosterman-Havens plays a big role for a small player. Listed at 5-2, Klosterman-Havens is routinely the shortest person on the floor. She makes up for her lack in height with speed, quick hands and aggressive play. Despite the team’s first half struggles, Klosterman-Havens inspired the crowd and her bench enough to keep the Knights in the game.
“Shealyn is a very positive leader and she takes the role of being the point guard very seriously. She wants everybody on the team to do well and she’s got their best interests at heart,” Burton said. “I think the girls look up to her, even though she doesn’t always have the biggest stats. She’s got a huge heart and the girls really look up to that.”
My mom used to tell me to just keep playing. I’ve always been told that I’m too short, so I just want to prove people wrong by showing that I can be the tallest person in there by working harder than everyone and getting all the rebounds.Shea Klosterman-Havens, New Glarus junior
Klosterman-Havens said it’s just who she is as a player.
“My mom used to tell me to just keep playing. I’ve always been told that I’m too short, so I just want to prove people wrong by showing that I can be the tallest person in there by working harder than everyone and getting all the rebounds,” she said.
Ava Foley led Belleville with 14 points. Erin Kittleson added 12 points and five steals, while Callie Smith chipped in 10 points, 14 rebounds and five steals.
Two nights later, the Knights lost a nonconference game to Appleton North, 62-47.
Emma Marty led New Glarus with 11 points, while Benson had eight and Himmelmann eight. Appleton North, a Division 1 school with nearly 6.5-times more students than the Division 4 Knights, led 36-19 at halftime.
