The Merrill girls’ two-game winning streak ended on Tuesday night, but it was no surprise since they were hosting the state’s top-ranked D.C. Everest, the only remaining undefeated team in Wisconsin at 15-0.
The Jays hung within 11-6 in the first quarter and 15-14 in the fourth, but the middle periods did the damage. The Evergreens posted 18-8 and 22-10 margins to fuel the 66-38 win.
The Jays were paced by Mariah Turenne (8 p, 2 r, 3 a), Morgan Pettit (7 p, 2 r), Emily Page (5 p, 2 r), Morgan Marnholtz (4 p, 3 a), Starr Krenzke (2 p, 4 r), Maddix Bonnell (6 p), Malayna Beyer (2 p) and Rheanna Hinz (2 p).
Everest put three in double figures with Ashley Hodell (16 p, 11 r, 3 st), Taylor Petit (13 p, 5 r) and Mackenzie Mathies (10 p).
MHS–FG: 11-48 (23%); 3 pt: 2-12 (17%). FT: 14-22 (64%).
Slashing Logan
The Bluejay girls have been on the short end of several close losses this year, but they turned a page last week and won tight ones twice.
The second leaf flipped when they bumped off La Crosse Logan 40-37 on the road on Saturday.
“The girls are pumped,” MHS coach Ross Reincke said. “They are starting to see the things we’re trying to do.
“We’ve really wanted to get our offense going against the 1-3-1 zone that a lot of teams play. They really saw the openings. They’re seeing the passes and the posts are dropping to the ball for lots of easy bunnies.”
Merrill turned a 7-6 deficit into a 19-16 halftime lead. Logan edged within 32-31 through three quarters, but an 8-6 fourth ended it.
“The biggest thing for us was it was a very physical game,” Reincke said. “Once we got used to it we were fine.”
The Jays were boosted by Maddix Bonnell (8 p, 4 r, 2 a), Morgan Marnholtz (12 p), Starr Krenzke (7 p, 2 r, 3 st), Mariah Turenne (6 p, 2 r), Hannah Marrier (4 p, 2 r), Chelsey LaMonica (4 r) and Morgan Pettit (2 p),
MHS–FG: 14-37 (37%); 3 pt: 6-13 (46%). FT: 6-12 (50%).
The 4-11 Jays take their 1-6 WVC record up against 0-7 Wausau East on Friday.