ML-WR Girls Use Strong Second Half To Defeat Cardinals

Dec 15, 2011

Dwight Cadwell-NSO

Moose Lake- With the Rebels and the Cardinals tied 28-28 at halftime of the girls Polar League matchup Thursday night in Moose Lake; the Rebels halftime motivation speech was one of inspiration. The Rebels came out in the second half and blew past the Cardinals as they scored 30 points in the first nine minutes of the second half en-route to a 65-48 win Thursday night at home.

“We didn’t play up to our full potential in the first half and I told the girls we were lucky to be tied…and that if we go out and play the way we are able to play this game will be ours,” Head Coach Andrew Miller told Northland Sports Online. “We came out with new life and energy and we played they way we can.” The Rebels came out and hit their first seven field goals in the second half, including three three-pointers to start the second stanza.

The first half was a slow it down affair and saw both teams make runs and each team having small leads. The Cardinals, who controlled most of the first half action, saw themselves struggling from the free throw line hitting only 4-14 in the first half. Makayleigh Cahoon scored 18 first half points to keep the Cardinals in the contest but was held to only 3 points in the second half, as Olivia Bennett played pressure defense all of second half.

“Olivia did a great job guarding Cahoon tonight, especially in the second half, she’s a great ball player and to shut he down is pretty awesome to see.” Miller added. Bennett spent time on the Rebels bench in the first half with three personal fouls. Adri Jusczak scored a game high 28 points for the Rebels, scoring14 in each half. “Adri did an amazing job tonight; she played well, as did our whole team, I’m proud of them all.”

Following Jusczak in the scoring was Shaelyn Halverson, who finished with 13 points including three 3-pointers. Olivia Bennett added 12 points; it was Hayley Johnson and Taylor Miller each chipping in with 5 points, and it was Kayla Radel closing the Rebels scoring with 2 points on the night.

The Rebels improve to 4-2 on the season and they will look to make it three straight wins on Monday when they face the Wrens in another Polar League battle at Wrenshall High School.

The Cardinals were led by Cahoon who finished with 21 points, Marlene Wester finished with 8, Allie Cahoon scored 7, it was Christina Stenson with 6, Brittany Johnson with 4 and Kayle Johnson finished with 2 points on the night.

The Cardinals will be in action again on Tuesday at Silver Bay as part of a boys and girls double header as their record falls to 3-3 overall.

Dwight Cadwell can be reached at Dwight@northlandsportsonline.com