By Murray Gleffe, Correspondent
ASHWAUBENON- Lydia Schaible and Kally VanLaanen came off the bench and delivered 12 big points to help propel the Jaguars over the Algoma Wolves (Dec. 28) 44-38 in a non-conference girls’ basketball game.
“I am so proud of our (bench) production tonight,” said Nicky VanLaanen, Jaguar Basketball Coach. “Not only did they contribute 12 big points, but their rebounding and defense was super.”
Autumn Schlader led the way for the Jaguars with 12 points.
The home team made 13 of 17 free throws for the evening, while the Wolves connected on only 1 of 8 attempts.
The Jaguars and Wolves went scoreless through the first three minutes of the contest.
Sydney Zimmerman broke the seal off the basket by draining a field goal inside the paint for the Wolves.
The Jaguars responded back with a quick wrap around move by Schlader and a triple by VanLaanen in the right corner to put them up 5-2 with 10:55 left till intermission.
Later in the first half, Megan Servais ripped the ball away from Wolves Guard Jordan Jossie and went in for an uncontested layup.
With 6:50 left until the break, both teams combined for only 15 points on seven made field goals.
Just before half, Schaible came off the bench a second time and converted on a three-foot turnaround to give the Jaguars a 15-12 lead heading into the locker room.
Both teams came out and improved their shooting to start the second half.
The Wolves took their second lead of the evening (18-15) after back to back treys by Zimmerman and Makayla Guilette.
The next four minutes produced a see-saw affair that involved five lead changes.
With the Jaguars clinging to a precarious one-point lead, the Wolves Jossie nailed a bomb from 22-feet out to put them out in front 26-24 with 11:43 left in the game.
It would be the last lead the Wolves would enjoy the rest of the contest.
The Jaguars then took matters into their hands by going on a ‘game-changing’ 10-0 run.
Schaible and Schlader each contributed five points a piece during that spurt and most of the looks were from five feet and in where the Jaguars used their height to their advantage.
With the Jaguars in front 34-26, the Wolves made one final push behind their three-point shooting.
“We need to do a better job of getting out to jump shooters,” added VanLaanen. “Algoma utilized the skip pass well in making seven threes for the game.”
The Wolves cut the lead to 36-34 with 1:52 left, but Maddie Koch and Servais connected on six of eight ft’s down the stretch to ice the game for the Jaguars.
“Megan and Maddie hit big free throws down the stretch to ice the game for us,” said VanLaanen. “We needed every one of them against a very well coached Wolves team.”
The Jaguars improve to 6-5 overall and will be back in action on Jan. 5 when they travel to Green Bay Preble to take on the Hornets.
Algoma/Ashwaubenon Box Score
Algoma 12,26, -38
Ashwaubenon 15,29, -44
Wolves Total: FG’s 15-51, 3 PT FG’s 7-25, FT’s 1-8, Rebounds 23, Assists 12, Steals 2, Blocks 1, Turnovers 11, Personal Fouls 16
Zimmerman 11, Guilette 11, Haack 6, Nessinger 4, Jossie 3, Vardon 3
Jaguars Total: FG’s 14-42, 3 PT FG’s 3-14, FT’s 13-17, Rebounds 28, Assists 9, Steals 3, Blocks 6, Turnovers 15, Personal Fouls 11
Schlader 12, Schaible 9, Servais 8, Koch 6, Kupsh 6, VanLaanen 3
