PATIENCE PYAN and TINA L. SCOTT

The Merrill Girls Basketball team traveled to Just A Game Fieldhouse in Wisconsin Dells on Dec. 3, 2022, for a non-conference game against Ellsworth Community High School. The Bluejays hung in there for the majority of the first half but never had the lead during the game. The Lady Jays struggled shooting wise, finishing with a 24.5 field goal % and only making 1 of 22 three-point shots attempted.
The girls defense continues to give us hope in tight games, as they forced 14 turnovers this game. Merrill was out rebounded 37-25.
On the positive side, the girls’ free throw % continues to stand out, as they shot 100% from the line this game. The girls lost 61-33 but were led by Senior Addy Schmeltzer (8 pts, 3 reb, 1 ast) and Senior Prayla Pyan (6 pts, 2 reb, 1 blk) who were also two of the three girls who shot perfectly from the free throw line.
Box Score
Merrill 33 @ Ellsworth 61

On Dec. 6, the Lady Jays hosted the Marshfield Tigers at Merrill for their first conference game. The girls played a really solid first half, and the score was pretty close. Marshfield got into some foul trouble early on, and Merrill was in bonus with a decent amount of time left in the first half. The girls shot 17 free throws in the first half, which is definitely what kept them in it. Getting to the free throw line has been huge for the Merrill girls.
At halftime, the girls were only down by nine, keeping it very close. The Tigers came out of halftime firing, and their lead went from 9 to 20 very quickly due to turnovers (28) made by the Merrill girls. The Bluejays struggled shooting again, ending with a 22% field goal percentage.
The girls lost a tough one 66-35. Leaders on the court for Merrill were Mia Ott (12 pts, 6 reb, 3 stl), Alayna Pozorski (7 pts, 2 stl, 2 reb), and Addy Schmeltzer (6 pts, and 2 reb).
Box Score
Marshfield 66 @ Merrill 35