JUDA - The last time Black Hawk used a smothering press defense as its calling card, the Warriors made three-straight state tournament runs in 2009-11.
While, it's early in the season, Black Hawk proved they have the ability to cause havoc by jumping out and pressing its way to a 61-31 win over Juda Tuesday, Dec. 10.
"We have to work on our rotations, but I feel it worked out really well," said Black Hawk senior Jen Wellnitz, who scored a game-high 25 points and had seven steals. "We are athletic and tough enough to get the rotations down. I just feel like it forced Juda into a lot of poor decisions. We are physically fit enough. We just have to get it down perfectly."
Black Hawk (3-0, 1-0 Six Rivers East) jumped out to a 12-0 lead in the first quarter sparked by the press. Juda (1-3, 0-1) committed 25 turnovers. Black Hawk senior Michelle Flanagan drilled a 3-pointer to start the game and Wellnitz later had a steal and layup to give the Warriors a 7-0 lead. Black Hawk sophomore Aleigha Sigafus had a steal and scored on a layup she was fouled on. She converted the conventional three-point play by knocking down the free throw to give the Warriors a 12-0 lead with 4:45 to go in the first quarter.
The Warriors implemented the press during four-straight practice days leading up to the first conference game.
"We wanted to see what we could get out of our pressure," Black Hawk coach Mike Flanagan said. "I thought it showed some potential. We have to be more disciplined. When I go back and watch the film, I know I will see some bad rotations. We wanted to work at it now. Now is the time. You can see the kids have speed and athleticism. You can't coach speed and length. We have to get better at basketball. You can coach effort and basketball IQ. We have a long ways to go."
Juda coach Curt Brown understands the Panthers will have to get better at handling the press with two freshmen guards in Chelsea Burkhalter and Alexis Goecks. Burkhalter scored 13 points to lead the Panthers.
"We are still in early season form," Brown said. "They (Black Hawk) are a tall and athletic team. When we did break it (the press) we turned it over in the halfcourt. It was a double-edged sword."
Mikayla Sigafus and Aleigha Sigafus each scored nine points and senior Marissa Monson added eight points including two 3-pointers. The Warriors went on an 11-4 run in the third quarter and built a 29-point lead after Monson's 3-pointer midway through the third quarter. Monson scored all eight of her points in the third quarter. The Warriors led by as many as 33 points after Mikayla Sigafus made two free throws with 6:16 to go in the fourth quarter.
Wellnitz said Monson was on fire.
"Marissa has a beautiful shot," Wellnitz said. "She's a post player and I have confidence in her. It was good for everyone to get reps and for me to dish it off so they could get the awareness to look for the pass."
Juda will host Barneveld Friday, Dec. 13. Brown expects Burkhalter and Goecks to continue to make strides as they play more of their first seasons on varsity.
"I think it's like a practice for the game for them," Brown said of playing against Black Hawk's press. "It's good for them to see the press so they know what they can take advantage of against the press the next time they see it. This is all brand new for them. Burkhalter and Alexis Goecks aren't afraid to shoot it. They have the ability to shoot the ball and score."
While, it's early in the season, Black Hawk proved they have the ability to cause havoc by jumping out and pressing its way to a 61-31 win over Juda Tuesday, Dec. 10.
"We have to work on our rotations, but I feel it worked out really well," said Black Hawk senior Jen Wellnitz, who scored a game-high 25 points and had seven steals. "We are athletic and tough enough to get the rotations down. I just feel like it forced Juda into a lot of poor decisions. We are physically fit enough. We just have to get it down perfectly."
Black Hawk (3-0, 1-0 Six Rivers East) jumped out to a 12-0 lead in the first quarter sparked by the press. Juda (1-3, 0-1) committed 25 turnovers. Black Hawk senior Michelle Flanagan drilled a 3-pointer to start the game and Wellnitz later had a steal and layup to give the Warriors a 7-0 lead. Black Hawk sophomore Aleigha Sigafus had a steal and scored on a layup she was fouled on. She converted the conventional three-point play by knocking down the free throw to give the Warriors a 12-0 lead with 4:45 to go in the first quarter.
The Warriors implemented the press during four-straight practice days leading up to the first conference game.
"We wanted to see what we could get out of our pressure," Black Hawk coach Mike Flanagan said. "I thought it showed some potential. We have to be more disciplined. When I go back and watch the film, I know I will see some bad rotations. We wanted to work at it now. Now is the time. You can see the kids have speed and athleticism. You can't coach speed and length. We have to get better at basketball. You can coach effort and basketball IQ. We have a long ways to go."
Juda coach Curt Brown understands the Panthers will have to get better at handling the press with two freshmen guards in Chelsea Burkhalter and Alexis Goecks. Burkhalter scored 13 points to lead the Panthers.
"We are still in early season form," Brown said. "They (Black Hawk) are a tall and athletic team. When we did break it (the press) we turned it over in the halfcourt. It was a double-edged sword."
Mikayla Sigafus and Aleigha Sigafus each scored nine points and senior Marissa Monson added eight points including two 3-pointers. The Warriors went on an 11-4 run in the third quarter and built a 29-point lead after Monson's 3-pointer midway through the third quarter. Monson scored all eight of her points in the third quarter. The Warriors led by as many as 33 points after Mikayla Sigafus made two free throws with 6:16 to go in the fourth quarter.
Wellnitz said Monson was on fire.
"Marissa has a beautiful shot," Wellnitz said. "She's a post player and I have confidence in her. It was good for everyone to get reps and for me to dish it off so they could get the awareness to look for the pass."
Juda will host Barneveld Friday, Dec. 13. Brown expects Burkhalter and Goecks to continue to make strides as they play more of their first seasons on varsity.
"I think it's like a practice for the game for them," Brown said of playing against Black Hawk's press. "It's good for them to see the press so they know what they can take advantage of against the press the next time they see it. This is all brand new for them. Burkhalter and Alexis Goecks aren't afraid to shoot it. They have the ability to shoot the ball and score."
