A night of growth: Rebel girls score a statement win over Lions
Published 10:25 pm Friday, January 3, 2025
Southland’s Juliette Matheis reaches for a rebound during the first half against Spring Grove Friday night in Adams. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Southland’s Emma Lewison turns to the basket after a Spring Grove turnover during the first half Friday night in Adams. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Southland’s Shannon Kiefer, left, drives to the hoop late in the first half against Spring Grove Friday night in Adams. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Southland’s Breeley Galle pulls up for a shot in front of Spring Grove’s Carlie Halverson during the first half Friday night in Adams. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Southland’s Brynlee Koenigs drives against Spring Grove’s Brinley Middendorf (13) during the first half Friday night in Adams. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Southland’s Brynlee Koenigs drives against Spring Grove’s Brinley Middendorf (13) during the first half Friday night in Adams. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Southland’s Clara Timm attemps a lay-up against Spring Grove’s Brinley Middendorf early in the first half in Adams. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Southland’s Grace Krebsbach tries to control a loose ball against Spring Grove in the first half Saturday night in Adams. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
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ADAMS – The Southland girls basketball team showed that it belongs amongst the best in the area as it shook off some old ghosts to beat Spring Grove 57-49 Friday night.
The Rebels took the lead for good when eighth grader Brynlee Koenigs connected on two free throws to make it 40-38 and junior Breeley Galle pushed that lead to 43-38 when she hit a baseline three-pointer with 5:31 left. Later, Galle found Grace Kresbach, who hit a corner three to make it 48-43 with 4:37 left in the game.
“This one means a lot. Every year Spring Grove is a big contender,” said Galle, who finished with 15 points, four rebounds and three assists, while hitting four three-pointers. “They were really good last year and they didn’t lose anyone. We knew this would be one of our hardest games of the year and we had to go out there and prove to ourselves that we can win these big games. We’ve really been putting our hearts out there and giving it our all.”
With the win, the Rebels snapped a seven-game losing streak to the Lions as they beat Spring Grove for the first time since March 5 of 2021. The Lions went 23-6 overall last season and advanced all the way to the Section 1A semifinals, while Southland was 8-18 overall and eliminated by Spring Grove 67-40 in the Section 1A opener.
The Rebels (7-3 overall) fell in an 11-3 hole to start the game as they struggled against the Lion’s defensive pressure. They calmed down and used a 22-5 to surge to take a 25-16 lead into halftime.
Spring Grove (5-3 overall) scored the first 10 points of the second half as Siri Konkell, who finished with 16 points, converted three shots in the paint. The rest of the game went back and forth.
“We’ve learned that we can win and tonight was all about believing that we can do it. This team is learning to be a team,” Southland head coach Matt Webber said. “Breeley’s learned the bumps over the last two years and Brynlee’s been doing the same thing. Brynlee came out of her shell tonight and had a big night.”
Koenigs finished with 18 points, nine rebounds and three steals in her biggest game as a Rebel. She credited Galle with mentoring her along the way.
“Breeley is an amazing person and a teammate,” Koenigs said. “She always has positive words. She can also shoot and she’s really good. Our whole team is positive and we always have each other’s backs.”
Galle has been a willing role model for Koenigs as she knows what it’s like to be the youngest player on the varsity squad.
“I’ve been there and it’s definitely nerve racking being the eighth grader on varsity,” Galle said. “It helps that we’re neighbors so we’ve always played basketball together in our driveways. I’ve kind of taken her under my wing. We’re both guards so it’s easy for us to help each other.”
Shannon Kiefer scored nine points for the Rebels, who have now won three games in a row, and Jaida Sorenson finished with two points, six rebounds and three steals.
SG 16 33 – 49
Southland 25 32 – 57
Southland scoring: Brynlee Koenigs, 18; Breeley Galle, 15; Shannon Kiefer, 9; Juliette Matheis, 5; Grace Kresbach, 3; Clara Timm, 3; Emma Lewison, 2; Jaida Sorenson, 2
