Jeremy Ratliff
Reporter
Last Tuesday night, the Merrill girls basketball squad rebounded from a tough conference opener with D.C Everest, to sink Wausau East 63-30 on the Lumberjacks’ home court.
The ladies wasted no time in opening up the field artillery en route to an overwhelming 41-13 lead in the first. The Jays reloaded at intermission and cut loose with another volley in the second to put the ‘Jacks away and even the conference tide at 1-1.
“We did a great job defensively tonight,” commented head coach Joelene Weix. “The girls really came out focused and aggressive, which led to some easy baskets. We were able to maintain that throughout the game and remain well balanced with our scoring.”
Patience Pyan paced Merrill with 18 points on the night (5/11 FG, 3/7 3pt, 5/9 FT, a, 2r, 3st). Lindsey Casper fired in another 10 points (4/7 FG, 1/3 3pt, 1/2 FT, 3a, 3r, 2st) while Bonnell finished with 8 points and a solid night on the boards (3/6 FG, 2/2 FT, 3a, 5r, 2st).
MRL: 41 22 63
EST: 13 17 30
Everest challenge
Friday night, the upstart Merrill girls basketball squad looked to carry their unblemished, 4-0 non-conference resume into the valley, in their WVC debut versus D.C. Everest at the MHS Field House.
Unfortunately the Evergreens had a much different idea in mind, parting with the 70-40 win.
Trouble loomed early as the ‘Greens went up 30-21 at the half. The second half wouldn’t show much relief as Everest topped the Merrill ladies 40-19 for the win.
“Everest started out hot from the tip,” Weix said. “We were playing catch up and could never close the gap. Everest did a nice job defending our shooters and we had difficulty stopping their inside presence. They shot the 3-ball very well also.”
Despite the loss, the ladies came up strong from the perimeter (57% overall) and very solid from the free throw line, hitting 70% overall.
Bonnell (3/6 FG, 1/3 3pt, 3r, 2 st) and Pyan (1/5 FG, 1/1 3pt, 4/4 FT, r, 2st) tied with 7 to lead the Jays. Casper (2/3 FG, 2/3 3pt, 4a, st) and Brianna Grosskurth (2/2 FG, 1/1 3pt) tied at 5, respectively.
DCE: 30 40- 70
MRL: 21 19- 40