SOUTH WAYNE - The Black Hawk Lady Warriors shook off some rust Monday, beating Clinton in the season opener, 66-53.
Though they led by 20 in the second quarter, the Warriors struggled with turnovers all night in their first game since a loss to Potosi in the WIAA Division 4 state semifinal game in March.
"We have to work harder and be smart with the ball. We had too many turnovers and (head coach) Mike Flanagan hates turnovers," senior center Kim Wellnitz said, who scored a game-high 19 points. "We just have to get back into our routine and practice just a little more. We still haven't gotten all of our plays and rotations down. We've got a lot of new girls this year."
Clinton scored the first four points of the game before Wellnitz went off, scoring nine-straight points, including a 3-pointer.
"During warm-ups I was a little rusty, but once we got into the game I started getting back into the routine running our offense," Wellnitz said. "When the shots fall, they fall."
By the end of the opening quarter, Black Hawk led 23-7 behind 11 points from Wellnitz and another 10 from junior forward Rachel Rygh. Rygh would score 18 in the game.
"It was really good just to get back on the court," Rygh said. "Coach always tells me to keep shooting and that a good shooter can't stop."
Black Hawk's lead reached 20 points again, at 27-7 in the second, though the Cougars stayed around the rest of the way.
"We got tired and started making some bad reads in our press. Clinton adjusted and played well. They got some easy baskets in the full court," Flanagan said. "We had it at 17-18 for so long, but we just couldn't get over that."
Junior guard Melissa Wellnitz scored 14 points in the game, seven of which came in the second quarter. Katie Powers had seven points, Katie Place, six, and Alyssa Piefer added two.
"It's a new look for us this year. We've got a lot of new players," Flanagan said. "But we got some good experience for our sophomores and for Alyssa Piefer, it's her first game up - so take it for what it's worth."
Some of the cause of the turnovers may have been the speed of the game. With new guards and skill players making their first appearance on varsity, Black Hawk's fast-paced press attack and speedy transition game took a toll on the Warriors, as well as the Cougars.
"I could feel my chest starting to hurt really bad. The press got a little shaky at times and we just got out of position," Wellnitz said.
Black Hawk (1-0) will now get two days to rest before hosting Parkview Thursday.
Though they led by 20 in the second quarter, the Warriors struggled with turnovers all night in their first game since a loss to Potosi in the WIAA Division 4 state semifinal game in March.
"We have to work harder and be smart with the ball. We had too many turnovers and (head coach) Mike Flanagan hates turnovers," senior center Kim Wellnitz said, who scored a game-high 19 points. "We just have to get back into our routine and practice just a little more. We still haven't gotten all of our plays and rotations down. We've got a lot of new girls this year."
Clinton scored the first four points of the game before Wellnitz went off, scoring nine-straight points, including a 3-pointer.
"During warm-ups I was a little rusty, but once we got into the game I started getting back into the routine running our offense," Wellnitz said. "When the shots fall, they fall."
By the end of the opening quarter, Black Hawk led 23-7 behind 11 points from Wellnitz and another 10 from junior forward Rachel Rygh. Rygh would score 18 in the game.
"It was really good just to get back on the court," Rygh said. "Coach always tells me to keep shooting and that a good shooter can't stop."
Black Hawk's lead reached 20 points again, at 27-7 in the second, though the Cougars stayed around the rest of the way.
"We got tired and started making some bad reads in our press. Clinton adjusted and played well. They got some easy baskets in the full court," Flanagan said. "We had it at 17-18 for so long, but we just couldn't get over that."
Junior guard Melissa Wellnitz scored 14 points in the game, seven of which came in the second quarter. Katie Powers had seven points, Katie Place, six, and Alyssa Piefer added two.
"It's a new look for us this year. We've got a lot of new players," Flanagan said. "But we got some good experience for our sophomores and for Alyssa Piefer, it's her first game up - so take it for what it's worth."
Some of the cause of the turnovers may have been the speed of the game. With new guards and skill players making their first appearance on varsity, Black Hawk's fast-paced press attack and speedy transition game took a toll on the Warriors, as well as the Cougars.
"I could feel my chest starting to hurt really bad. The press got a little shaky at times and we just got out of position," Wellnitz said.
Black Hawk (1-0) will now get two days to rest before hosting Parkview Thursday.
