Wildcats play in three thrilling games

Gabby Lauwagie attacked the hoop well all game, and was set up by many teammates for backcuts, slashes off screens (many by Bella Hoxie), and timely passes. She had 29 points, 7 boards, 2 assists, and 2 steals, in a fantastic, tough showing.

Ashley Bryfczynski scored 20, hitting from 3, attacking the hoop, and going a stellar 12/12 from the free throw line (all in the second half) to help keep the game out of reach down the stretch run, to go with 2 boards, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 3 blocks.

Hallie Roitenberg had 9 points, 9 boards, 10 assists, and only 1 turnover for an incredible almost-triple-double.

“This was a fantastic all-around showing,” said Neibauer. “She was dropping dimes all over the place with pinpoint accuracy.”

Emma Hanson had 6 points, 4 boards, 2 assists, and 4 steals - one of them extremely timely to spark a late-second-half run to keep them at bay.

“Ellana Keaveny had 5 points, 4 rebounds, an assist and steal, and managed the game extremely well, keeping us out of corners and traps, advancing the ball with pace, and helping handle the suffocating pressure all game long with her toughness,” said Neibauer. “Bella Hoxie had 4 points, 4 rebounds, and a block, and was instrumental in moving the ball on offense, setting a bunch of picks that lead to layups in the flow of the offense. She also guarded SLP’s 26 ppg All-State-caliber player, and switched freely onto guards to contain on defense. She was fantastic all game long, and was also defensive player of the game.

Addy Bryfczynski had 2 points, 3 rebounds, and played excellent defense all night long on their best player as well, and tied up a bunch of drives through the lane.

Morgan Stock had 2 points, 3 boards, her customary block, and, as always, played above her height, locking up bigger players and keeping the ball moving.

Jenna Myhre battled a bit of foul trouble, but still had a board, assist, and played with great pace.

“This was a huge win for our team, because, as mentioned, SLP is talented, can shoot it like crazy, and has taken some of the best in Minnesota to the wire, so it’s a huge win for our team and an indicator of what we can be when we commit to taking care of the ball, moving the ball, and getting after it. We showed great toughness and it was a great showing.”

Wildcats get stung by Hornets, fall by 6

The Wildcats looked like the better team for much of the Wednesday night contest, but a late run by Edina had Waconia ending up with a 60-54 loss.

“While we had a great first half of defense, and started the second half on a nice run, too many missed opportunities hurt us down the stretch and we experienced a drought offensively down the stretch when it mattered most, and we lost our offensive flow to fall to the Hornets of Edina 60-54,” said Neibauer. “Too many missed opportunities means: turnovers, missed shots at the rim, we had way too many of these, and free throws (15 for 23). Every possession, layup, free throw, etc. matters in close games, and it does hurt to be so close two nights in a row and now be able to pull out a win, for a team that is hungry for them. There are moments where we move the ball freely, swing it side-to-side and hit shots, and we look pretty good. It’s just the in-between times, where we stop moving, stop swinging it, and force passes through the defense that don’t have to be made that are killing us right now. We will keep working with urgency to help these problems and give ourselves a better chance to win. If we can put together the puzzle, all in one game, limit turnovers, and convert the close ones, we can be in good shape.”

Scoring: Roitenberg 23 (8 for 8 from Free throw line); Lauwagie 16; Bryfczynski 8; Hanson 4; Keaveny 3; Myhre 3;

Defensive player of the game was Gabby Lauwagie, who flew around in the zone to create a lot of havoc, and also rebounded extremely well, especially in the first half.

Wildcats lose heartbreaker in OT to Chan, 78-71

One of the big debates in coaching is whether, when up three with little time left, you foul someone to put them on the line instead of letting them shoot a potentially game-tying three.

“I’ve lost both ways over the years - fouling and not getting a crucial rebound, and also contesting a three but not fouling it,” said Neibauer. “Unfortunately for us tonight, they hit the three with no time remaining in regulation to tie the game at the buzzer, sending it to OT. In OT, some costly turnovers and fouls ended up being too much to overcome, and we fell 78-71. It hurts to lose this game the way that we did, there’s no doubt. However, we did battle much more in the second half, and showed great urgency and intensity on defense when we stopped letting external factors that we can’t control throw us off.

“The first half ended with us down 10,” said Neibauer. “We missed too many layups and FT’s, though we did make more down the stretch of the first half, and when things didn’t go our way, we threw our hands up in the air and lost our composure. We can’t have that lapse, as our margin for error is too small to compete for wins that way. In the second half, it was much different, and it showed. We scrapped for many more loose balls, we pressured the passing lanes better, and we just plain-and-simple fought much harder. That’s why it hurts to lose this game so much-we did the things that put us in position to win, but a possession here and there in a tight game, and Chan hitting a big shot, was enough to do it. It hurts, but there’s no time to feel bad about it - we have another section matchup in Edina coming in tomorrow, and we have to rally and show the same fighting spirit that we did in the second half.”

Scoring stats: Roitenberg 15; Lauwagie 12; Ashley Bryfczynski 12; Keaveny 9; Myhre 5; Smith 5; Addy Bryfczynski 4; Stock 2;

Defensive player of the game was Addy Bryfczynski, who battles with everyone out there - huge posts, point guards, whatever, she’s going to get in their space and D ‘em up.

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