Coming out with fire: LP girls blast Schaeffer
Published 9:53 pm Monday, January 19, 2015
Courtney Walter looks to make a pass against Schaeffer Academy in Pacelli Gym Monday. — Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com
Two days after their biggest loss of the season, the Lyle-Pacelli girls basketball team came out with a new sense of urgency as it beat Schaeffer Academy (3-12 overall, 1-10 SEC) 70-15 in Pacelli Gym Monday.
Lyle-Pacelli’s Bethany Strouf handles the ball against Schaeffer Academy in Pacelli Gym Monday. — Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com
While winning the game may have been expected for LP (13-2 overall, 12-0 SEC), which has now won 39 straight SEC contests, the Athletics came out firing on all cylinders.
LP used its full court press for the first six minutes of the game and that was enough time for LP to build up a 24-0 lead. The Athletics scored the first 31 points of the first half.
“We were flying everywhere, making passes and everyone was hitting their shots,” LP forward Sarah Holtz, who had 12 points, six rebounds and five steals said. “We were on fire.”
The Athletics came out with a lot of energy after they had lost to 61-45 Goodhue on Saturday. LP head coach Justin Morris said he hopes the loss to the Wildcats was a wake-up call and the Athletics had a team meeting on Monday that focused on working hard every game.
“We got outworked on Saturday and we got beat by a team that physically and emotionally wanted it more than us. Our new phrase is ‘all in’ and whenever we step on the floor we’re all in,” Morris said. “I think today was a step in the right direction. All things considered, I think that’s the most energy I’ve seen our kids come out with all year. But that doesn’t mean anything if we don’t come out Thursday against Spring Grove and bring that same energy.”
Freshman Brooke Walter had 14 points, five assists and three steals for LP and junior Courtney Walter added 11 points, five assists and four steals.
Holtz said the Athletics have a stronger sense of focus after falling to Goodhue.
Brooke Walter gets free on a breakaway for Lyle-Pacelli in Pacelli Gym Monday. — Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com
“I think we realized that it’s going to be a battle. It’s going to be tough. I think we’re seeing now that if we work as a team and all strive for the same goal, we’ll reach it,” she said. “We needed to come back as a team and have a good game and I think that’s what we did tonight.”
LP forced 32 turnovers in Monday’s win.
Schaeffer 11 4 — 15
LP 46 24 — 70
LP scoring: Brooke Walter, 14; Sarah Holtz, 12; Courtney Walter, 9; Madison Truckenmiller, 8; Kristie Fett, 4; Caitlin Roberts, 3; Shakana Quelle, 2; Olivia Christianson, 2; Maggie Leif, 2; Abby Bollingberg, 2; Faith King, 2; free throws: 75 percent (3-for-4); rebounds: 30 (Holtz, 6); turnovers: 15