BY RICK ARGALL The Merrill Lady Jays put one in the win column versus non-conference opponent Adams Friendship High School (AFHS) Saturday night, Jan. 27, 2024, at home as part of Merrill Basketball Hall of Fame (HOF) Night. The game was part of a doubleheader that featured the Boys Varsity game immediately following the Varsity Girls matchup.
MMC STAFF
Merrill came out and started off with a big 3-pointer by Mia Ott to grab a 26-23 lead. A quick 8-0 run by AFHS built their lead to 31-26, with 12:30 remaining in the game, but the Lady Jays tightened up their defense and closed the gap again to 1 point, trailing 31-30 after baskets by Grace Reimann and Haley Rindt. Maddie Ott hit another 3-pointer to put Merrill up 33-31 and played tough defense down the stretch to maintain a 34-31 lead with 5:40 left in the game. After a timeout by AFHS, the teams battled down the stretch as AFHS took their final lead, 35-34, prompting Merrill to call a timeout to discuss strategy. Grace Reimann hit another key basket and Senior Sophie Wendorf (3 pts, 1 3pt) hit a crucial 3-pointer to extend their lead to 39-35 with 2:40 left in the game, a lead Merrill would not relinquish. Junior Haley Rindt hit 2 free throws to increase the lead to 41-35, and Grace Reimann added another 3-point play with a basket and free throw as Merrill pulled away 44-35 in the last minute of play. The Lady Jays continued their hot free-throw shooting in the closing seconds, hitting all 4 attempts, and the final buzzer sounded for a final score of 48-38, lifting Merrill’s record to 9-8 overall.
Merrill was led by Grace Reimann (19 pts), Mia Ott (10 pts), Maddie Ott (9 pts), and Haley Rindt (7 pts). The Lady Jays return to conference play Tuesday night, Jan. 30, 2024, hosting Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln High School (WRLHS).
Box Score
AFHS 38 @ Merrill 48
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here