PATIENCE PYAN and TINA L. SCOTT
The Merrill Girls were back to conference play on Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023, when they hosted Stevens Point. The Bluejays came out hot, going on a 14-3 run. They let SPASH get back in it a little towards the end of the first half when they got it within 6 at 19-13. But Merrill kept them at that distance for most of the first half. The Bluejays played their best first half game of the season and were up 27-22 at halftime.
The second half was super competitive. The scores went back and forth between the teams, with both teams alternately taking the lead but keeping the score tight. Stevens Point would go on a run and then Merrill would answer back and vice versa. Towards the end of the game, Alayna Pozorski made a very important three-pointer to put the Bluejays up by one. Stevens Point went down and missed their shot, rebounded by Sophie Wendorf as she was fouled, and shooting bonus free throws, Sophie sunk both of those free throws to put Merrill up by three, and those three critical points made the difference and ultimately the win! The Bluejays were led by Prayla Pyan (13 pts, 6 reb, 2 stl), Sophie Wendorf (13 pts, 3 reb), and Alayna Pozorski (8 pts, 6 reb, 4 ast).
Box Score
SPASH 45 @ Merrill 48
The Bluejays played Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln Girls on Feb. 10, which was also Senior Night for Merrill.
The Red Raiders hung around with the Bluejays going back and forth in the first half and it was fairly close going into halftime. But in the second half, the Bluejays were able to pull away and keep the lead, resulting in a great win on Senior night, 56-46! Detailed stats not available at press time.
Box Score
Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln 46 @ Merrill 56
The Merrill Bluejays Girls Basketball team traveled to DC Everest for their last regular season game on Feb. 16. The first half went back and forth between both teams with the largest point difference being four, up until the last quarter of the half. The Bluejays kicked it into gear after being down 15-19 and went on a 16-2 run to end the half going up 31-21.
The second half went back and forth a little bit, but the Bluejays maintained the lead the rest of the game and the closest the Evergreens got was within seven points. The Bluejays performed very well, having less turnovers, more steals, and a higher shooting percentage and ultimately won the game. Merrill was led by Mia Ott (24 pts, 4 reb, 2 ast), Alayna Pozorski (12 pts, 4 reb, 7 ast), and Prayla Pyan (11 pts, 8 reb, 1 ast).
Box Score
Merrill 59 @ DC Everest 44
