Rebels overcome foul trouble to finish off Knights
Published 9:59 pm Friday, November 22, 2024
Southland’s Clara Timm tries to reach past Kenyon-Wanamingo’s Carmen Nerison during the first half Friday night in Adams. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Southland’s Addison Retterath looks for outlet after gaining a rebound against Kenyon-Wanamingo in the first half Friday night in Adams. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Southland’s Brynlee Koenigs brings the ball up court against Kenyon-Wanamingo’s Mali Quam during the first half Friday night in Adams. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Southland’s Juliette Matheis drives during the first half against Kenyon-Wanamingo Friday night in Adams. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Southland’s Avery Stroup brings the ball up court against Kenyon-Wanamingo Friday night in Adams. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
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ADAMS – It was a bumpy road with a few twists and turns, but the Southland girls basketball team never gave up an early lead as it hung on to beat Kenyon-Wanamingo 52-44 in a season opener Friday.
The Rebels opened the game on a 17-4 run, but the Knights (0-1 overall) came all the way back to tie the game at 32 early in the second half. Southland’s lead was 35-34 with 6:12 left in the game and that’s when junior center Juliette Matheis scored five points during a 6-0 spurt to put her team up 41-34 with 3:58 left.
Matheis scored on a put-back and post move during the rally and she finished with 22 points and 10 rebounds.
“I missed a lot of games last year, but our experience definitely helped us tonight,” Matheis said. “This was a good start.”
Southland senior Avery Stroup delivered the dagger when she drilled a three-pointer to put the Rebels (1-0 overall) up 46-39 with 3:04 left. Stroup contributed nine points, three assists and five rebounds and her contributions were vital as one of Southland’s top scorers, Breeley Galle, scored just two points as she spent most of the night on the bench due to foul trouble.
“We worked really hard, Juliette really stepped up and we just kept pushing through,” Stroup said. “We worked together as a team and were able to push through, even though we’re missing people who usually score a lot.”
Southland’s bench play was vital in the win as sophomore Grace Kresbach hit a pair of first half three-pointers and eighth grader Brynlee Koenigs controlled the pace in the second half, while putting up six points, six rebounds, three steals and two assists.
“We learned a lot tonight. The biggest thing we have to do is learn how to win and we showed tonight that we’re a little deeper than we thought we were,” Southland head coach Matt Webber said. “The difference between last year and this year is they’re listening, they’re adjusting and they’re adapting. We finally realized what would work, and it’s up to the team to go that extra mile.”
Emma Lewison finished with seven points, six rebounds and three steals for the Rebels.
Kenyon-Wanamingo 17 27 – 44
Southland 23 29 – 52
Southland scoring: Juliette Matheis, 22; Avery Stroup, 9; Emma Lewison, 7; Grace Kresbach, 6; Brynlee Koenigs, 6; Breeley Galle, 2
