Rebel girls struggle with turnovers in home loss
Published 11:48 pm Friday, December 6, 2013
Southland’s McKenzie Kirtz pulls up to shoot in front of the defense of Rushford-Peterson’s Hope Morrison, left, and Kendra Crawford during the first half Friday night in Adams. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
ADAMS —There was good news and bad news for the Southland girls basketball team in Adams Friday.
The good news was the Rebels forced 35 Rushford-Peterson turnovers, but the bad news was that Southland also committed 34 turnovers in a 68-56 loss.
The Rebels are still adjusting to an influx of new players as they adjust to the team’s high-tempo style and Southland head coach Bob Sheehan said the team is starting to take the right steps.
Southland’s Sydney Bendtsen looks to pass after bringing the ball upcourt against Rushford-Peterson in the first half Friday night in Adams. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
“I think we’ll be able to play at that (fast) pace,” Sheehan said. “We just have to get the younger kids going at that pace. I think we’ll be fine. We did better than we did in our last game.”
The Rebels (0-2 overall, 0-2 Three Rivers) were led by junior McKenzie Kirtz, who had 23 points, 10 rebounds and seven steals. Unfortunately for Southland, Kirtz was one of four players to foul out in the game as both teams were hit with foul trouble early and often.
“When three of our top five players are on the bench with fouls, it’s tough to keep a flow,” Sheehan said. “We’re going to learn how to play aggressive without fouling.”
RP took a 15-5 lead on the Rebels with 13:31 left in the game when they scored five points on one possession due to a personal foul on Southland and a technical foul on Southland. The Rebels pulled to within 28-25 with three minutes left on a put-back by Kirtz and they pulled to within 36-32 early in the second half on a breakaway lay-up by Sydney Bendtsen.
RP 34 34 — 68
Southland 25 31 — 56
Southland scoring: McKenzie Kirtz, 23; Katlin Webber, 10; Sydney Bendtsen, 8; Kaitlyn Kirtz, 6; Morgan Schmitz, 5; Kaysie Allen, 1; free throws: 59 percent (16-for-27); rebounds: 42 (McKenzie Kirtz, 10); turnovers: 34
