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Notre Dame runs away from De Pere

By Rich Palzewic
Sports Editor


GREEN BAY – In a key matchup halfway through the regular season, the Notre Dame Academy girls’ basketball team showed why it’s ranked No. 1 in the state in the latest Wissports.net Division 2 Coaches Poll.

With De Pere (12-2) leading 10-9 early, the Tritons (13-1) went on a 16-0 run to take charge in a 73-47 victory Jan. 12.

“Our difficult non-conference schedule has prepared us,” said Notre Dame head coach Sara Rohde. “I know De Pere has a strong record, but we felt good coming into the game. It’s a tough rivalry, and De Pere plays hard and doesn’t quit.”

Freshman Gracie Grzesk led the Tritons with 15 points, including scoring the first five of the game.

Gracie is the daughter of Liz (former University of Wisconsin-Green Bay assistant) and Gary Grzesk (St. Norbert men’s coach) and has already been offered a Division I scholarship by Kevin Borseth at Green Bay.

Nine Tritons found the scoring column, with Sarah Hardwick (11), Sammy Opichka (10) and Georgia Gregoire (10) also hitting double digits.

“We have lots of balance,” Rohde said. “We have a good returning core with Charley (Apple), Georgia, Sarah, Sammy and Hope (Barrington). Add in our talented freshmen group, and we are a deep and versatile team. We can also shift players around to different positions, which gives us options. That makes our team tough to beat.”

After Notre Dame increased its lead to 25-10, De Pere regained some composure to trail 38-21 at the break.

The Tritons employed its patented, full-court pressure defense throughout the first half, which gave the Redbirds problems.

“We take lots of pride in our defense and pressure,” said Rohde. “Our girls work hard, and they earned it. We played our butts off.”

After not scorning in the opening 18 minutes, Apple began the second half by hitting back-to-back 3-pointers for Notre Dame.

The sophomore Barrington scored six straight points for the Tritons to bump the lead to 68-41 with about three minutes remaining.

Notre Dame hit nine 3-pointers, while De Pere connected on five.

Jordan Meulemans, a Division I recruit for the Redbirds, scored 17 points to lead all scorers.

Sophia McCarty added eight points, and Claire Bjorge hit a pair of threes in defeat.

The Tritons host Kaukauna Thursday, Jan. 14, while De Pere, which came into the game ranked No. 5 in Division 1, hosts Ashwaubenon Friday, Jan. 15.

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