Lyle-Pacelli girls take down Southland
Published 12:09 am Saturday, February 1, 2014
Lyle-Pacelli’s Brooke Walter is hounded by Southland’s Morgan Schmitz, left, and Syndey Bendtsen in Lyle Friday. The Athletics beat Southland 80-54. — Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com
LYLE — The Athletics came out of the gates a little sluggish, but it wasn’t anything that could keep them from rattling off their 15th straight win.
Lyle-Pacelli used a couple of big runs in the first half as it beat Southland 80-54 in a girls basketball game in Lyle Gym Friday.
Lyle-Pacelli’s Courtney Walter attempts a 3-point shot against Southland in Lyle Gym Friday. — Rocky Hulne/spots@austindailyherald.com
No. 5 ranked LP had plenty of balance as six players score at least six points. Ann Rysavy had 19 points, eight rebounds, four assists and three steals.
“I’ve never beaten this team and I consider them rivals,” Rysavy said. “I wanted to win this game a lot.”
Southland (9-7 overall) and LP (15-0 overall) traded jabs early on, but LP used a 10-0 run that put them up 25-12. The Rebels pulled to within 26-18 and the Athletics answered with an 8-0 run that saw Ryavy get a steal for a lay-up and hit a 3-pointer. LP led 42-24 at the half and the Rebels couldn’t get back in the game in the second half.
“We were fired up. There was so much emotion and intensity. Our kids truly wanted it and we had to get them to slow down a little bit and have them cut down on their passing angles,” LP head coach Justin Morris said. “Our kids played with a lot of heart tonight. They didn’t play great, but they found a way to make plays. They played together and that’s what your most proud of as a coach when you dig deep and find a way to be successful.”
The Athletics had 27 turnovers in the win, but they made up for it by out-rebounding Southland 51-24. Sarah Holtz had 19 points and 11 rebounds for LP.
“We knew they weren’t the tallest team and that could be to our advantage,” Holtz said. “We knew we had to box out and cut lanes. We knew that was one of the keys and it was nice to see that pay off.”
Southland struggled with its offense throughout the night as it committed 21 turnovers. McKenzie Kirtz scored 19 points, but she spent a lot of time in the bench as she picked up her fourth foul early in the second half.
“I hate sitting on the bench and watching, I’d much rather be on the court. But I guess there’s not much you can do about it,” Kirtz said. “They came ready to play and they had the effort. It could’ve been a better game, but they had more effort than we did. We didn’t bring our ‘A’ game.”
Southland’s 54 points are the most points LP has allowed in a game this season, but the Athletics were glad to get a challenging game on their schedule.
McKenzie Kirtz handles the ball for Southland in Lyle Gym Friday. — Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com
“They’re a really good ball club and they play same kind of basketball that we play, really fast and chaotic,” Holtz said. “It was good for us, because we’re going to meet teams like that.”
Southland 24 30 — 54
LP 42 38 — 80
LP scoring: Sarah Holtz, 19; Ann Rysavy, 19; Courtney Walter, 15; Brooke Walter, 9; Madison Truckenmiller, 6; Bethany Strouf, 6; Kendal Truckenmiller, 5; Annie Holtz, 1; free throws: 68 percent (17-for-25); rebounds: 51 (Holtz, 11); turnovers: 27
Southland scoring: McKenzie Kirtz, 19; Kaitlyn Kirtz, 11; Sydney Bendtsen, 8; Kaysie Allen, 5; Katlin Webber, 4; Corbyn Bendtsen, 3; free throws: 50 percent (14-for-28); rebounds: 24 (Kirtz, 5); turnovers: 21
