By Rich Palzewic
Sports Editor
GREEN BAY – Holding a precarious two-point lead in its game against Green Bay Southwest, the Notre Dame Academy girls’ basketball team buckled down when it mattered most.
The Tritons went on a game-changing 13-0 run late en route to a 70-57 Fox River Classic Conference victory at Southwest High School Dec. 12.
Notre Dame (4-1 overall, 3-0 FRCC) also beat another quality team in Green Bay Preble Dec. 10
“It was a good week for us,” said a smiling Notre Dame head coach Sara Rohde. “I’m proud of the girls. We weren’t too aggressive defensively in the first half against Southwest, but we did a better job in the second half.”
The junior duo of Sammy Opichka and Charley Apple scored 21 and 20 points, respectively, to pace the Tritons.
“Sammy brings a lot to the table offensively,” Rohde said. “She’s versatile and hard to guard. She can post up, shoot the three-pointer and take you off the drive. Charlie knocked her shots down, especially in the second half. She has the green light to shoot from the three-point line whenever she wants to.”
Southwest’s Jaddan Simmons, an Arizona State University commit who came into the contest averaging 32 points per game, was held to 13.
“You have to focus on Jaddan defensively,” said Rohde. “She’s a great athlete and a great player. Sarah [Hardwick] had the assignment of guarding her and did a great job. It was a team effort.”
Opichka tallied eight points before intermission and added 13 after the break.
“I enjoy playing against great players,” said Opichka, who is also garnering looks from several Division I colleges around the country. “Jaddan is tough to play against and a good player. She’s going big next year, so it’s cool to experience these games with her. I’m excited for her next year, too.”
Notre Dame looked like it was going to run away with a big win early in jumping out to a 15-5 lead, but the Trojans (2-2, 0-2) battled back quickly to take a 34-29 lead into halftime.
Southwest’s Kiara Thomas nailed a trio of three-pointers in the first half.
After halftime, things remained nip-and-tuck until the six-minute mark.
Leading 55-53, the Tritons received contributions from five different players during their ending run.
“We moved the ball well and got some post touches,” said Rohde on the closing run. “We made a few shots and our rotation was good. We are clicking offensively and defensively and handling adversity well.”
Hardwick added 12, and Georgia Gregoire chipped in with 9 points for Notre Dame.
Madison McFerrin had 10 points for the Tritons.