JUDA — As the season winds down, teams are looking to gain and carry any momentum they can. After opening the year 2-8, Pecatonica has gone 3-3 in its past six games. Only one of those losses was lopsided (88-39 vs. top-ranked Black Hawk.

The Vikings knocked off Division 4 nonconference opponents Iowa-Grant by 20 and Wisconsin Heights, and lost a nail-biter to Barneveld Feb. 2.

In the final weekend of the regular season, Pecatonica picked up a convincing 69-41 win over Juda Feb. 5, and then lost narrowly to D3 River Valley 52-49 the next day.

“I really thought that after the first few games we started getting into a rhythm, we started feeling good about not really worrying about the scoreboard so much as worrying about what we could do ourselves and what we could control,” Pecatonica coach Linda Hendrickson said. “The winning attitude, the winning effort and all of that — when you combine all that together it shows on the scoreboard. It at least makes it competitive, and every time we step on the court, that’s what we’re looking to do is to be competitive.”

In the win over Juda, the Vikings had four players reach double figures — something that hasn’t happened much in recent years for the program. Tessa Green had 23 points to lead the way, while Chloe Schraepfer finished with 19, Lexi Peterson 14 and Anna Tisch 10.

“It’s always a good night when we have three girls in double figures,” Hendrickson said. “Adding Anna Tisch into the mix has given us another scoring threat. She’s just a freshman.”

Juda got an early 3-pointer from Maddie Smith, which gave the Panthers their only lead in the contest. The advantage lasted just nine seconds, as Schraepfer scored on a press break moments later to start a 10-0 run by the Vikings. 

Pecatonica’s lead reached 19 midway through the frame, but foul trouble started to pester the Vikings. Schraepfer picked up her third foul with 8:32 left in the half and was forced to the bench. Tisch, Lily Busser and Niveah Gross all collected two fouls in the half as well, shrinking their minutes on the hardwood.

“We got a little sloppy on the defensive end a couple of times in the first half. I thought we came out better in the second half and the girls got to be where the needed to be,” Hendrickson said.

Green and Peterson stayed consistent to keep Pecatonica ahead. Green had 14 points in the half, while Peterson had 9. The Vikings led 32-20 at halftime.

“What worked for us was attacking,” Panthers coach David Wiemiller said. “That’s why there were so many fouls and that’s what found us success. We started to put some pressure and bring it back to them.”

In the second half, Schraepfer’s offense showed up, helping the Vikings pull away. The sophomore guard had 16 points in the frame.

Juda has just seven players available to play — which includes manager Katie Nusbaum.

“My manager came and played a little bit. She’s a good player and we’ve been trying to get her to play all year. She came out and really stepped up and did a good job. She’s been practicing with us quite a bit,” Wiemiller said. “We’re down three players from the beginning of the year, and two couldn’t make it tonight. I was a little bit worried about the foul trouble, but I thought our girls did one heck of an intelligent job. There wasn’t much foul trouble on our end.”

With the game being Senior and Parent’s Night, the energy level picked up from the home squad. The team has just two seniors on the roster, Smith and Jocelyn Rufer, and only Smith was available to play.

“I’m really proud of where these girls have come. Being down like this, battle through adversity — we are literally down to six players — those girls just picked it up. They did it for the seniors and that makes me extremely proud,” Wiemiller said.

Smith scored 10 points, with the final bucket coming with 1:40 left in the game. Wiemiller called timeout immediately to give her a standing ovation send off.

“When I saw her take that baseline I knew — I could just tell — she was going to make the basket. It was good to see that in her last game at home,” Wiemiller said.

Anna Skoumal was Juda’s main source of offense, finishing with a game-high 24 points, including an 11-for-16 mark from the free throw line.

“I think that she’s one of the better players in the conference. She’s starting to get some confidence,” Wiemiller said. “

The next day, Pecatonica let a slim 4-point halftime lead slip away to River Valley. Green finished with 17 points, Peterson 13 and Schraepfer had 7.

The Vikings travel to familiar foe Argyle in the opening round of the postseason Feb. 9, while Juda is at Burlington Catholic Central.

“I’m looking for some good things — we’ve been playing some good ball and they (Argyle) have been sitting for two weeks,” Hendrickson said. “I told the girls that right now I’d take them against anybody the way they’re playing together and the selflessness that we’re seeing on the court. They are doing a really good job.”