Queensland and Foster lead Superlarks to an opening win over Lyle-Pacelli

Published 10:00 pm Tuesday, November 28, 2023

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GRAND MEADOW – Experience was the major difference on the court between the Grand Meadow girls basketball team and Lyle-Pacelli and the Superlarks used that advantage to win 62-23 in a season opener for both teams in GM Tuesday.

GM lost a chunk of its team that won 21 straight games before losing in the Section 1A championship team last year, but senior Lexy Foster, who had 19 points, 11 rebounds and five assists, and Lauren Queensland, who had 20 points and six rebounds, are back and ready to lead the way.

Each of them were effective inside early on as the Superlarks (1-0 overall) opened the game on a 14-0 run.

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“We have a different recipe this year and we’re trying to use what we have to the best of our abilities,” said Foster. “We’re always going to look for other teammates, but Lauren and I’ve played with her for so long and we’re always going to look for each other. She’s got me and I got her. We’re very competitive people and we want to get to where we were last year.”

Foster, a senior, was able to boost GM on both sides of the court as she turned plenty of defensive rebounds into scoring opportunities with her long passing strength. Queensland, a junior, was able to get free on those transition opportunities.

“It’s different (this year). We definitely have some spots to fill, because we lost some seniors from last year. But things are going well and the girls are working hard,” Queensland said. “We want to control what we can. The last few years have taught me to take what they give us.”

L-P (0-1 overall) was led by Kirsten Koopal, who scored seven points.  

“We have a lot of youth. We were playing eighth graders in and out and we have a freshman starting,” said new L-P coach Lee Bauer. “We’re going to come to practice every day ready to work, and I believe that with time, each day will get better and better.”

Lyle-Pacelli 13  10  – 23

Grand Meadow 36  26  – 62

GM scoring: Lauren Queensland, 22; Lexy Foster, 19; Gracie Foster, 12; Aspen Kolling, 3; Madilynn Clapp, 2; Grace Soltau, 2; Namoi Warmka, 2

L-P scoring: Kirsten Koopal, 7; Morgan Klankowski, 5; Autumn Drennan, 4; Elizabeth Frederick, 3; Audrey Wilde, 2; Lexi Lewis, 2; Jada Leif, 2