From an undefeated 3-0 season start, two losses at the Cranberry Classic brings the Girls to 3-2, reveals need to improve rebounding skills

PATIENCE PYAN and TINA L. SCOTT

The Merrill Girls Varsity Basketball Team traveled to Shawano on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022, for a non-conference match up and their second game of the season. The Lady Bluejays played the Shawano Community High School Hawks and came away with a win (64-51), bringing them to 2-0 at the end of their first week of competitive play.
The score went back and forth for the first couple minutes, which is the only time the Bluejays trailed the whole game. The Merrill Girls were losing 2-8 early on, but went on a 16-2 run to lead 18-10 and get back on top. Merrill was in control for the majority of the game, leading by as much as 13 points. The score was only tied once early on in the second half at 31-31, but other than that, Merrill was ahead the whole time and held on to that lead for the win.

“Our Defense kept us in the game when shots weren’t falling. Time and time again the girls stepped up with a stop on critical possessions. One example: We were up 55-51 with 2:30 to go, Maddie Drew tipped the ball, and Alayna Pozorski got on the floor and stole the ball. On the offensive end, after that play, Mia Ott found Addy Schmeltzer under the hoop for a short bank shot. That put us up six and sealed the game!”
The Bluejays were led by Junior Mia Ott (23 pts, 3 stl, 3 ast) who had 23 points and Senior Alayna Pozorski (16 pts, 8 reb, 5 ast) who put up 16.
Box Score
Merrill 64 @ Shawano 51

On Tuesday, Nov. 22, the Bluejays made the drive from Merrill to Medford for a non-conference match up with the Red Raiders where the Bluejays led the whole game, never trailing once. The Red Raiders got it within three points in the first half and three in the second half but never were on top. Merrill struggled a little offensively, considering Medford had a better overall field goal percentage, 2FG percentage, and 3FG percentage, but the Bluejays’ defense was too much, yet again forcing 27 turnovers by the Raiders.
Medford also had 22 personal fouls, which sent Merrill to the free-throw line quite a bit, and the Bluejays shot 24/34 from the free-throw line.
The Bluejays’ defense continues to keep them in games and get critical stops when needed. Merrill ended up on top, winning 62-42, led by Mia Ott (26 pts, 7 reb, 6 stl) who had 26 points, Alayna Pozorski (13 pts, 7 reb, 5 ast) who had 13, and Maddy Ott (8 pts, 6 reb, 3 stl) who had 8.
The Merrill Girls left Medford on a high note, so far undefeated in their season with a 3-0 streak.
Box Score
Merrill 62 @ Medford 42

Over Thanksgiving break, the Merrill Girls were again on the move, this time heading to Assumption for the Cranberry Classic on Nov. 25 and 26, with one game scheduled each day.
The Merrill Girls played the Columbus Catholic High School Girls on Friday, Nov. 25, with Merrill trailing the majority of the game, only leading a couple times at the beginning of the game 4-0 and 6-4. The Bluejays’ stats were less than Columbus Catholic in just about every category, including getting out rebounded 45-33 and having a much lower field goal percentage.
Although Merrill struggled, there were a few positives. The Merrill Girls had more steals, fewer turnovers, and even took a couple charges. The Bluejays were led by Mia Ott who had 19 pts and Alayna Pozorski who had 9 pts, but lost the game 39-50.
Box Score
Merrill 39 @ Columbus Catholic 50

The next day, on Saturday, Nov. 26, the Merrill Bluejays took on the Laona/Wabeno Rebels. Merrill led for most of the first half, trailing for a tiny stretch by as much as five points. The Bluejays led going into halftime 23-16 and maintained the lead up until about halfway through the second half, and that’s when they fell apart and couldn’t get back on top.
The Jays were also out rebounded 42-33. Getting out rebounded continues to be a problem for the Merrill Girls.
Led by Mia Ott who had 21 pts, Sophie Wendorf who had 7 pts, and Alayna Pozorski with 6 pts, Merrill lost the game 43-49.
The Merrill Girls are now 3-2 for the season.
Box Score
Merrill 43 @ Laona/Wabeno 49