Girls basketball: Vikings rally to beat Knights
Published 12:55 am Wednesday, December 30, 2015
Hayfield’s Savanna Cordle battles inside against Kenyon-Wanamingo’s Megan Flom during the first half Tuesday night in Hayfield. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
HAYFIELD — There was a world of difference between the Hayfield girls basketball team’s two match ups against Kenyon-Wanamingo this season.
The first time the two teams squared off Dec. 11, Hayfield sophomore Carrie Rutledge was held scoreless and the Vikings lost 57-44. When the two teams met again in the Hayfield tournament Tuesday, Rutledge poured in 18 points and the Vikings beat the Knights 63-46.
Hayfield’s Rachael Ausrud fights with Kenyon-Wanamingo’s Savannah Bleess for control of the ball during the first half Tuesday night in Hayfield. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Rutledge has been on quite the scoring spree over the last four games — all Hayfield wins — as she’s averaged 15.7 points per game over that stretch.
“We’ve needed someone to penetrate and attack and she’s that player for us,” Hayfield head coach Fred Kindschy said. “As much as she improves, I think our team will improve.”
Rutledge hit the two biggest shots of the night for Hayfield when she knocked down back-to-back threes to put Hayfield (6-3 overall) up 48-30 with 8:30 left in the game and the Knights (4-5 overall) never got back in it. Rutledge picked up her scoring in the second half, but she shared the wealth in the first half as she finished with five rebounds and four assists.
“I’m a lot more confident than I used to be. If I know I’m not shooting well, I try and drive to make stuff happen. If I drive and I see an open teammate, I try to pass it to them,” Rutledge said. “We’ve lost to [KW] a lot. It was really nice to come out and win and show them that we can play with them.”
The Knights jumped out to an 8-0 lead to start the game, but the Vikings were able to get back in it by attacking the paint. Rachael Ausrud had 14 points and 10 rebounds for Hayfield and Savanna Cordle had 10 points and seven rebounds.
“We were hoping to work inside and I was looking to post up,” Ausrud said. “The guards helped us a ton and they were always looking to get it into the post.”
Hayfield’s Sophia Waldner had two points, four assists and three steals and Kate Kruger had five points, five rebounds and three assists.
KW 21 25 — 46
Hayfield’s Olivia Matti drives against Kenyon-Wanamingo’s Tess Hokanson during the first half Tuesday night in Hayfield. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyheald.com
Hayfield 27 36 — 63
Hayfield scoring: Carrie Rutledge, 18; Rachael Ausrud, 14; Savanna Cordle, 10; Maggie Streightiff, 9; Kate Kruger, 5; Olivia Matti, 3; Emily Sprau, 2; Sophia Waldner, 2; free throws: 66 percent (12-for-18); rebounds: 42 (Ausrud, 10); turnovers: 12
