Girls split tourney games

By Mark Anderson

News Editor

The Staples Motley girls basketball team came close in their opening game of the Little Falls tournament Dec. 29-30, falling to North Branch 51-48. But they came back to beat St. Cloud Apollo 78-43 in the second game.

Against North Branch, The Cardinals took an eight point lead early. “We were not able to sustain our focus and North Branch took the lead at half,” said Coach Craig Wolhowe. “We picked up the pace and made it a game in the second half.”

Claire Wolhowe scored 14 points in the second half to lead the charge. The Cardinals pulled within three and Amber Robben had a shot go in and out in the closing seconds.

Robben had five assists in the game while Wolhowe and Quinn Uhlman had seven rebounds each.

Against St. Cloud Apollo, Wolhowe said the team set out to play excellent defense on their two talented guards. “Amber Robben, Chelsea Nanik, Kelsie Weite, Sam Schimpp and Quinn Uhlman played outstanding defense,” said Wolhowe. “That led to great offense, we ran the floor and passed the ball very well.”

Schimpp led the team with four steals and Robben had six assists. Kaitlin Longworth and Weite each had six rebounds.

Team results

Staples Motley 48, North Branch 51

Scoring: Claire Wolhowe 21, Kelsie Weite 9, Sam Schimpp 7, Chelsea Nanik 3, Quinn Uhlman 3, Amber Robben 3, Kaitlyn Longworth 2

Staples Motley 78, St. Cloud Apollo 43

Scoring: Wolhowe 18, Longworth 15, Uhlman 12, Weite 9, Ashley Smith 6, Nanik 5, Lexi Johnson 2, Paige Kittleson 2