Good play leads to 6-1 record for girls hoops
The Staples-Motley girls basketball team battled two quality opponents and came out on top, beating Aitkin 65-47 on Dec. 20 and 73-62 over Park Rapids on Dec. 22. The team is now 6-1.
“This was our best game from start to finish,” said Coach Craig Wolhowe about the Aitkin game. “We competed and followed the game plan. We were unselfish and played solid as a team.”
Four players were in double figures to show the team’s balanced scoring. Kelsie Weite and Chelsea Nanik each had 14 points, Claire Wolhowe scored 13 and Amber Robben had 11. Coach Wolhowe aid Ashley Smith gave the team a big boost off the bench, scoring seven points. Other scorers were Sam Schimpp 4 and Kierra Dumpprope 2.
Weite also had 13 rebounds and Robben had six assists and five steals. As a team, the Cardinals made 20 of 27 free throws. “That was a key factor in the outcome,” said Wolhowe.
Against Park Rapids, the Cardinals pulled away at the end by keeping their composure. “Park Rapids wants you to play at a fast pace and create turnovers. For the most part I thought we handled their pressure.”
Throughout the game, Staples-Motley would beat the pressure and go on a run, then Park Rapids would create turnovers and make a run right back.
At the end, “we made the right decisions and made free throws to get the win,” said Wolhowe.
Claire Wolhowe led the team with 26 points and 11 rebounds. Weite scored 20 points and Robben had 15 with 7 assists. Other scorers were Nanik 8, Dumpprope 2 and Kaitlyn Longworth 2.