The Britton-Hecla girls basketball team put together a strong second half to win its season opener 45-29 over Tiospa Zina on Friday and then dropped a 57-27 decision to a strong Northwestern squad on Monday.
Coach Terry Nelson’s crew is back in action on Friday at Webster Area.
“I was happy with our defense, especially against Tiospa Zina,” said Nelson. “We were more aggressive than we have been the last two years and it resulted in more free layups than I think we had all last season. We also played good defense in the Northwestern game but were up against a heck of a ball team and just need to be more aggressive and physical. Our boxing out and passing killed us.”
Nelson said his squad needs to play aggressive and fast at Webster on Friday.
“We need to play defense, box out, get up and down the floor, and take care of the basketball,” concluded Nelson. “But I’m happy where we’re at after two games.”
Britton-Hecla 45
Tiospa Zina 29
After battling on nearly even terms for the first half the Lady Braves went up by seven after three quarters and put the game away in the final stanza with a 13-4 run.
B-H led 18-16 at halftime but the game was knotted at 24-all with 2:23 left in the third stanza. Then Nelson’s squad reeled off an 8-1 run, led by Karlie Zuehlke’s five counters, to grab a 32-25 lead with a quarter to play.
Heather Storbakken padded that margin with back-to-back fielders to open the final period, Daynika Zuehlke converted a fastbreak layup, and Storbakken added two free tosses to fuel an 8-2 run and decide the issue.
Storbakken led the Lady Braves with 13 points and five steals. Daynika Zuehlke added 11 points, six assists, and five steals, while Chellon Pruitt pulled down 10 rebounds.
TIOSPA ZINA: Lattice Rodlund 0 2-2 2, Jaia Bursheim 2 0-2 4, Maya Deutsch 1 0-2 2, Journee Haley 5 0-5 10, Hana Ziegler 1 0-0- 2, Ava German 2 1-2 6, Faith Fourstar 1 0-0 2, Talia Robertson 0 1-2 1. Totals 12 4-15 29.
BRITTON-HECLA: Karlie Zuehlke 3 2-8 8, Rae Ann Hagenson 3 1-3 7, Heather Storbakken 5 2-4 13, Daynika Zuehlke 3 4-6 11, Chellon Pruitt 1 1-2 3, Maddie Micko 0 3-6 3. Totals 16 12-31 45.
TZ (0-1) 9 16 25 29
BH (1-0) 9 18 32 45
3-point goals – German; Storbakken. Fouled out – Rodlund, German, Fourstar. Total Fouls – TZ 26, BH 13.
Northwestern 57
Britton-Hecla 27
Northwestern jumped out to an 18-7 first period and then doubled that margin to take charge with a 42-20 halftime advantage.
Storbakken again led the Lady Braves with nine points. RaeAnn Hagenson grabbed six rebounds
BRITTON-HECLA: RaeAnn Hagenson 2 1-2 5, Karlie Zuehlke 0 1-4 1, Heather Storbakken 4 1-2 9, Daynika Zuehlke 1 0-0 2, Koryn Jones 1 1-2 4, Chellon Pruitt 2 0-1 4, Maddi Micko 0 2-3 2. Totals 10-47 6-14 27.
NORTHWESTERN: Ashley Haven 5 2-3 12, Adriana Ratigan 8 0-0 17, Tara Blachford 3 3-3 10, Josie Sparling 3 0-0 8, Breelyn Satter 1 0-0 2, Lilly Haven 1 0-0 2, Mikaela Schmitt 0 1-1 1, Sophia Troske 2 0-0 5. Totals 23-59 5-6 57.
BH (1-1) 7 20 24 27
NW (2-0) 18 42 54 57
3-point goals – Jones; Ratigan, Blachford, Sparling 2, Troske. Total fouls – BH 8, NW 16.
