LET'S GET SMALL! WARRIOR GIRLS FALL TO RAINIER
Playing for a shot at first place in the Lewis & Clark League, the Warrenton Lady Warriors found themselves literally shorthanded Tuesday night.
Already without junior Chelsea Neahring, who missed her third straight game with a sprained ankle, the Warriors hung tough with first place Rainier until the fourth quarter, when foul trouble cost them their two other experienced posts. The Columbians were able to pull away for a 45-30 victory, nailing down a state tournament berth by clinching the league championship.
Warrenton (13-2 Lewis & Clark League, 20-4 overall) will finish in second place and host a playoff game next Wednesday against an opponent to be determined.
"Emily Ogren sat most of first half and fouled out early in the fourth," said Warrenton head coach John Matilla. "[Audrey] Dove fouled out in the middle of the fourth. Chelsea Neahring was not able to play. We finished the game with no posts.
Warrenton led briefly in second and third quarters. Down 9-8 in second quarter, Rainier scored the last eight points to lead 16-9 at half. Despite the foul trouble and paltry 13% field goal shooting, the game was close into the fourth quarter until about the five minute mark.
"I thought we played much better than last time," said Mattila, whose team lost 49-30 at Rainier for their only other Lewis & Clark League loss. "The pulled away with the fouls and took care of it at the end."
"I still feel that we can beat them and if we get the opportunity, I'll be very happy."
In order to do that, Warrenton must win two games, one at home Wednesday and another at a neutral site Friday. The first win would clinch a state tournament berth and the second would set up a third meeting with Rainier to determine first and second seeds to the 3A State Tournament. As of Wednesday morning, the league was still trying to finalize sites for Friday and Saturday's tournament finals next week.
Rainier's sophomore point guard Mollee Schwegler scored 10 of her game-high 18 points in the fourth quarter and senior Heidi Jackson added 16 points for the Columbians (14-0, 16-5).
"Jackson's a heck of a player and Mollee had maybe her best night of the year," said Mattila. "Jackson is a college-potential-type player."
Jordyn Holt led the Warriors with seven ponts. Dove added six points, eight rebounds and three assists before fouling out.
The Warriors close out the regular season at Catlin Gabel on Saturday. Warrenton is in pursuit of its first state tournament appearance in girls basketball since 1993.
RAINIER 8 8 12 17 – 45
Jackson 16, Wright 2, Nagunst 1, Hanks, Benson 7, Minium 1, Schwegler 18 (10 pts in 4th qtr)
WARRENTON 6 3 16 5—30
Ju. Marxer, Ogren 6, McBride, Jo. Marxer 3, Wilkins, Hackwith, Holt 7, Hayward 2, Campbell 6, Dove 6 (8r/3a).
FIELD GOALS-RAI: n/a, WAR: 7-53-13%
3-PT FG’S-RAI: n/a, WAR: 3-15-20%
FREE THROWS-RAI: 10-16-63%, WAR: 5-13-38%
REBOUNDS-RAI: 26, WAR: 26
TURNOVERS-RAI: n/a, WAR: 12
Already without junior Chelsea Neahring, who missed her third straight game with a sprained ankle, the Warriors hung tough with first place Rainier until the fourth quarter, when foul trouble cost them their two other experienced posts. The Columbians were able to pull away for a 45-30 victory, nailing down a state tournament berth by clinching the league championship.
Warrenton (13-2 Lewis & Clark League, 20-4 overall) will finish in second place and host a playoff game next Wednesday against an opponent to be determined.
"Emily Ogren sat most of first half and fouled out early in the fourth," said Warrenton head coach John Matilla. "[Audrey] Dove fouled out in the middle of the fourth. Chelsea Neahring was not able to play. We finished the game with no posts.
Warrenton led briefly in second and third quarters. Down 9-8 in second quarter, Rainier scored the last eight points to lead 16-9 at half. Despite the foul trouble and paltry 13% field goal shooting, the game was close into the fourth quarter until about the five minute mark.
"I thought we played much better than last time," said Mattila, whose team lost 49-30 at Rainier for their only other Lewis & Clark League loss. "The pulled away with the fouls and took care of it at the end."
"I still feel that we can beat them and if we get the opportunity, I'll be very happy."
In order to do that, Warrenton must win two games, one at home Wednesday and another at a neutral site Friday. The first win would clinch a state tournament berth and the second would set up a third meeting with Rainier to determine first and second seeds to the 3A State Tournament. As of Wednesday morning, the league was still trying to finalize sites for Friday and Saturday's tournament finals next week.
Rainier's sophomore point guard Mollee Schwegler scored 10 of her game-high 18 points in the fourth quarter and senior Heidi Jackson added 16 points for the Columbians (14-0, 16-5).
"Jackson's a heck of a player and Mollee had maybe her best night of the year," said Mattila. "Jackson is a college-potential-type player."
Jordyn Holt led the Warriors with seven ponts. Dove added six points, eight rebounds and three assists before fouling out.
The Warriors close out the regular season at Catlin Gabel on Saturday. Warrenton is in pursuit of its first state tournament appearance in girls basketball since 1993.
RAINIER 8 8 12 17 – 45
Jackson 16, Wright 2, Nagunst 1, Hanks, Benson 7, Minium 1, Schwegler 18 (10 pts in 4th qtr)
WARRENTON 6 3 16 5—30
Ju. Marxer, Ogren 6, McBride, Jo. Marxer 3, Wilkins, Hackwith, Holt 7, Hayward 2, Campbell 6, Dove 6 (8r/3a).
FIELD GOALS-RAI: n/a, WAR: 7-53-13%
3-PT FG’S-RAI: n/a, WAR: 3-15-20%
FREE THROWS-RAI: 10-16-63%, WAR: 5-13-38%
REBOUNDS-RAI: 26, WAR: 26
TURNOVERS-RAI: n/a, WAR: 12
posted by Matt Richert at 12:10 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home