SOUTH WAYNE - Black Hawk sophomore Jen Wellnitz was a ball girl the last time the Warriors lost a regular season game. Tonight, she'll be on the court to try to uphold that streak.
Black Hawk, ranked second in the Associated Press Division 5 state poll, will take on Barneveld (ranked No. 7) in a Six Rivers East Conference showdown tonight in South Wayne. Black Hawk (9-0, 3-0 Six Rivers East) has won 51-straight regular season games. On the eve of the showdown with Barneveld, Black Hawk coach Mike Flanagan didn't want to make the game any bigger than it already is.
"The rankings will mean nothing once we step on the floor," Flanagan said. "We are always anxious to compete."
Flanagan wouldn't go as far to say the winner of tonight's clash will be in the driver's seat for a conference title.
"I think they just take pride in competing," Flanagan said. "I believe the whole streak thing is out of their thoughts. This is a big one. I have never known a team who made or broke their season with one game. You walk down a dangerous path if you blow up a game to be bigger than it is. If you buy into that, you lose sight of the big picture."
The reality for Black Hawk is with a win they could go one game up on the Eagles (9-1, 3-0) in their quest to win a fourth-straight Six Rivers East title. Flanagan is well aware of that.
"It just means that we are one step closer to a conference championship," he said.
Barneveld senior Hailey Cannoy is the Eagles' leading scorer at 11.9 points per game. However, freshman Rachel Slaney has made an immediate impact and is averaging 11.8 ppg. Madison Laube (9.4 ppg) gives the Eagles a solid third scoring option.
"Any team who has a kid like (Slaney), a shooter and post like Cannoy and a flat-out sniper like Madison Laube, it makes it harder to game plan because of all the weapons you have to take away," Flanagan said. "The Slaney girl is a hustle player. She makes a lot of plays off of pure effort and she has a good skill set."
Barneveld coach Jim Myers has eclipsed the 500 career win milestone this season, but he is still looking to beat Black Hawk. Black Hawk has had Barneveld's number the last two years posting a 6-0 record including two regional wins. The last time Barneveld beat Black Hawk came in 2009.
"I think Jim Myers is one of the best coaches," Flanagan said. "His record stands as proof of that. He has shown the ability to adjust to the talent he has. I think he is a master at maximizing the talent of his kids."
Both Black Hawk and Barneveld have stingy defenses. The Warriors give up just 32.1 points per game compared to the Eagles' 34.3 ppg. The Warriors have made the transformation from a pressing team to a strong halfcourt team that takes advantage of making plays in transition when they are there.
Wellnitz is the leading scorer for the Warriors (14.3 ppg), averaging 7.9 rebounds and four steals a game. Black Hawk senior Kate Quinn averages 10.6 ppg and 7.1 rebounds, and senior Katie Powers has proven that she can be a reliable scorer (6.9 ppg).
"Our team is not just Jen Wellnitz," Flanagan said. "Any team that I have ever seen that has just relied on one kid has fallen short of their goals. We have never been just about one kid. We win and lose as a team."
In addition to Wellnitz, the Warriors have relied on the 3-point shooting of Chaesta Shager, as well as the rebounding and defense of Kayla Meier.
"We expected those kids to step up and play a different role," Flanagan said. "After every season is over, you have to have kids step up and rise to the occasion."
Black Hawk, ranked second in the Associated Press Division 5 state poll, will take on Barneveld (ranked No. 7) in a Six Rivers East Conference showdown tonight in South Wayne. Black Hawk (9-0, 3-0 Six Rivers East) has won 51-straight regular season games. On the eve of the showdown with Barneveld, Black Hawk coach Mike Flanagan didn't want to make the game any bigger than it already is.
"The rankings will mean nothing once we step on the floor," Flanagan said. "We are always anxious to compete."
Flanagan wouldn't go as far to say the winner of tonight's clash will be in the driver's seat for a conference title.
"I think they just take pride in competing," Flanagan said. "I believe the whole streak thing is out of their thoughts. This is a big one. I have never known a team who made or broke their season with one game. You walk down a dangerous path if you blow up a game to be bigger than it is. If you buy into that, you lose sight of the big picture."
The reality for Black Hawk is with a win they could go one game up on the Eagles (9-1, 3-0) in their quest to win a fourth-straight Six Rivers East title. Flanagan is well aware of that.
"It just means that we are one step closer to a conference championship," he said.
Barneveld senior Hailey Cannoy is the Eagles' leading scorer at 11.9 points per game. However, freshman Rachel Slaney has made an immediate impact and is averaging 11.8 ppg. Madison Laube (9.4 ppg) gives the Eagles a solid third scoring option.
"Any team who has a kid like (Slaney), a shooter and post like Cannoy and a flat-out sniper like Madison Laube, it makes it harder to game plan because of all the weapons you have to take away," Flanagan said. "The Slaney girl is a hustle player. She makes a lot of plays off of pure effort and she has a good skill set."
Barneveld coach Jim Myers has eclipsed the 500 career win milestone this season, but he is still looking to beat Black Hawk. Black Hawk has had Barneveld's number the last two years posting a 6-0 record including two regional wins. The last time Barneveld beat Black Hawk came in 2009.
"I think Jim Myers is one of the best coaches," Flanagan said. "His record stands as proof of that. He has shown the ability to adjust to the talent he has. I think he is a master at maximizing the talent of his kids."
Both Black Hawk and Barneveld have stingy defenses. The Warriors give up just 32.1 points per game compared to the Eagles' 34.3 ppg. The Warriors have made the transformation from a pressing team to a strong halfcourt team that takes advantage of making plays in transition when they are there.
Wellnitz is the leading scorer for the Warriors (14.3 ppg), averaging 7.9 rebounds and four steals a game. Black Hawk senior Kate Quinn averages 10.6 ppg and 7.1 rebounds, and senior Katie Powers has proven that she can be a reliable scorer (6.9 ppg).
"Our team is not just Jen Wellnitz," Flanagan said. "Any team that I have ever seen that has just relied on one kid has fallen short of their goals. We have never been just about one kid. We win and lose as a team."
In addition to Wellnitz, the Warriors have relied on the 3-point shooting of Chaesta Shager, as well as the rebounding and defense of Kayla Meier.
"We expected those kids to step up and play a different role," Flanagan said. "After every season is over, you have to have kids step up and rise to the occasion."
