Girls hoops team learns from two wins

The Staples-Motley girls basketball team got off to a 2-0 start with a 69-40 win over Wadena-Deer Creek on Nov. 29 and a 54-45 win over Foley on Dec. 1.

“Our experience showed in the opener,” said Coach Craig Wolhowe. “We talked about having a great start to the season and the first five minutes and we definitely did. We played excellent defense, ran our offense and took good shots and got out to a big lead at half, 54-15.”

Wolhowe said he liked how the team attacked the basket and got to the free throw line. Claire Wolhowe made seven of eleven shots from the floor and six free throws to lead the team with 20 points. Kelsie Weite had seven rebounds and Amber Robben had six steals.

Wolhowe said the Foley game was like a roller coaster. “We played well for a few minutes, then not so well for a spell. We hustled and were executing, and the next minute we were sluggish and not thinking.” 

The Cardinals took a 15 point lead in the second half but Foley cut it to eight late in the game.

“Foley stayed in the game because they hustled and didn’t give up,” said Wolhowe. “We built a lead, and then coasted. This game provided some great teaching moments.”

Weite got hot in the first half and Chelsea Nanik came out firing in the second half. Wolhowe grabbed 13 rebounds and had five steals.

Team results

Staples-Motley 69, Wadena-Deer Creek 40

Scoring: Claire Wolhowe 20, Amber Robben 11, Sam Schimpp 10, Kelsie Weite 9, Kaitlin Longworth 8, Chelsea Nanik 6, Ashley Smith 3, Jenna Trantina 2

Staples-Motley 54, Foley 45

Scoring: Weite 12, Wolhowe 12, Nanik 10, Robben 9, Longworth 4, Smith 2, Lexi Johnson 2, Kiera Dumpprope 2, Alix Peterson 1