BY RICK ARGALL
MMC STAFF
In a much-anticipated Conference matchup between Merrill and Stevens Point Area Senior High (SPASH) the fans were treated to a fast paced, high scoring game. Merrill entered the game riding a current three-game winning streak and looked to continue their winning ways on Friday night. While Merrill had the home-court advantage at last Friday night’s game, a Merrill win just wasn’t in the cards this go-round.
Stevens Point jumped out to a quick 7-0 lead that prompted Head Coach Michael Debuhr to use an early time out and regroup. After trailing 9-0, The Lady Jays got on track offensively behind the three-point shooting from Sophie Wendorf, Mia Ott, and Maddie Ott to close the gap to 28-27 late in the first half. But then the Panthers closed the half on a 10-2 run to take a 38-29 halftime lead to the locker room.
In the second half Stevens Point went to a full-court zone press on defense and was able to force some turnovers, pushing their lead to 46-30 at the 13:48 mark. Consecutive three-pointers from SPASH and another three-point field goal for Mia Ott bumped the score to 55-33 at the 8:52 mark of the second half.
The Lady Jays battled down the stretch and competed hard, trailing 74-47 with 3:09 left in the game, but came up short in the end, falling 80-52 in a fast-paced, entertaining game.
Senior Mia Ott led the Merrill Varsity Girls with 25 points, while Senior teammate Sophie Wendorf added 13 points. Jada Seubert led all scorers with 26 points for Stevens Point.
The Merrill Varsity Girls will take on the Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln Red Raiders (WRLHS) in their next game on Tuesday, Jan.9, at home in Merrill.
