Lady Jays Basketball
Lady Jays Take on Bravettes in Mid-States
by Kiley Bierman
The varsity Lady Jays competed against the Battle Creek Bravettes for 3rd place in the Mid-State Conference tournament on Saturday, February 2, at Northeast Community College. The Bravettes ended up on top with a final score of 36-57.
In the first quarter, the Lady Jays and Bravettes were neck-and-neck as Kayla Simmons made one three-pointer and Kenzie Moeller made two three-pointers. Defensively, the Lady Jays allowed eight points to end the quarter with a narrow lead of 9-8.
The Bravettes caught fire in the second and put up 21 points on the Lady Jay defense, and the Lady Jays were not able to match their momentum, managing five points as Maggie Brahmer made one two-pointer and one free throw and Moeller made one free throw. The half came to a close with a score of 13-29.
In the second half, the Bravettes maintained control of the game as they put up 14 and held the Lady Jays to eight. Payten Simmons made one two-pointer, and Brahmer made three two-pointers to close out the third quarter with a score of 21-43.
In the fourth quarter, the Lady Jays attempted a comeback, but the deficit was too great. Moeller was a lead scorer with four three-pointers. Marie Stone made one free throw, and Kennedy Warneke made one two-pointer.
Head Coach Darren Sindelar said, “Overall, we did not play well as a team. Offensively, we just didn't execute at a level that will let us win games. Defensively, we gave up to many drives and easy buckets. We have to get better as individuals and as a team.”
The Lady Jays’ next game is Thursday, February 7, at West Point against GACC.
Lady Jays Fall to O'Neill Eagles
by Elizabeth Hammer
The Pierce Lady Jays competed against O’Neill in their second game of Mid-States at Northeast Community College on Thursday, January 31. The Lady Jays fell to the Eagles with a score of 38-47.
Starting off the first half of the game, Kenzie Moeller scored two free throws, Zoe Brenden scored two points from the free throw line and a two-point shot, and Maggie Brahmer added four points to the Lady Jays’ score. The Lady Jays’ defense held strong, allowing the Eagles just three points in the first quarter, ending it in a score of 10-3.
During the second quarter, Marie Stone nailed a three-pointer, while Brenden and Brahmer put four points each on the board. The Eagles fared better against the Pierce defense, adding fourteen points to their score. The half ended with the Lady Jays ahead 21-17.
Entering the second half of the game, Kayla Simmons drained a three-pointer for the Lady Jays, and Moeller and Brenden put up four points total. However, the Eagles took the lead by adding 12 points to their score and edging out the Lady Jays 28-29 going into the final minutes.
During the fourth quarter, Stone made two threes and a two-pointer, and Brahmer added two points to the board. The Eagles caught fire in the fourth, and unfortunately for the Lady Jays, scored eighteen points to take the win 38-47.
Head Coach Darren Sindelar said, “We started the game well. As the game went along, they picked up the pace of the game, and we couldn’t keep up. We have spurts where we aren’t all focused at the same time, and at these moments, things break down.”
The loss sent the varsity Lady Jays into their last Mid-States game, which was against the Battle Creek Bravettes at Northeast on February, January 2. Their next regular season game will be Thursday, February 7, against GACC in West Point.
Pierce Defeats GACC in Conference Tourney
by Angelica Volquardsen
The Lady Jays traveled to Norfolk to compete against GACC in the first round of Mid-States at Northeast Community College. The Lady Jays came out on top with an ending score of 54-47.
In the first quarter, Pierce held a strong defense, letting GACC score only eight points. On the offensive end, Kayla Simmons scored a three-pointer, Zoe Brenden made a two-pointer and Maggie Brahmer made three two-pointers to end the quarter ahead of the GACC Bluejays.
In the second quarter, the Pierce girls stayed ahead of GACC with a three-point lead. Simmons scored a three-pointer, Brenden scored a two-pointer and a free throw, and Brahmer scored three two-pointers and three free throws. Ending the second quarter ahead, the Pierce Lady Jays headed into the second half up 26-23.
In the third quarter, the Pierce Lady Jays played well offensively and scored 12 more points. Simmons scored a three, Kenzie Moeller scored a two-pointer and three free throws, and Brahmer made two two-pointers. GACC outscored the Lady Jays by one to close in on Pierce’s lead, but the Lady Jays remained up 38-36.
In the final quarter, the Lady Jays sealed their victory as they scored 16 points the GACC’s 11. Simmons made two free throws, Moeller made two three-pointers and two free throws, and Brahmer made three two-pointers, ending the game ahead with a score of 54-47.
Individually, Abbey Fuerhoff had one rebound; Simmons had four rebounds and six assists; Moeller had three rebounds, one assist and two steals; Marie Stone had three rebounds, three assists, and two steals; Brenden had six rebounds and two assists; Brianna Aguilera had one rebound and one assist; Brahmer had 16 rebounds, one assist, one steal, and five blocks; and Abigail Meier had one rebound and one assist.
Coach Darren Sindelar said, “We were able to get the ball consistently inside to Maggie Brahmer. She was able to get the inside girl in foul trouble. By being able to score on the inside, we were able to get some clutch open outside shots by Kenzie Moeller and Kayla Simmons. Being able to get those three in double-figure scoring is big. Zoe Brenden, Marie Stone, Brianna Aguilera, and Abbey Fuerhoff did a nice job of finding those three. Defensively, we did a nice job of catching up to them. Marie Stone was very vocal in communicating our responsibilities. Overall, it was a good team win. I am proud of the girls.”
The Lady Jays continued on through the conference tournament following their win. Their next game will be Thursday, February 7, against GACC in West Point as they resume regular season play.