Bearcat girls defeat LOW Bears in first game after holidays

By Mark Johnson, coach
KCC 67 – LOW 31
The Bearcats were closing in on three weeks without playing in game. The question was if the layoff would have them eager and ready to go or rusty and out of sync. Weather had postponed KCC’s first scheduled game after the holiday break on Tuesday, Jan. 4.
If the opening play of the game against Lake of the Woods on Friday, Jan. 7 was going to be an indicator, things were going to go well for the Bearcats. KCC scored off the opening tip of the game and got off to a very quick start. The Bearcat defense was active and aggressive, and pushed the visiting Lake of the Woods Bears into several turnovers and quick shots that led directly to offensive opportunities for KCC. The flood gates opened early and the Bearcats started the game with a 39-6 run and had the Bears completely out of sync. The first half ended with KCC holding a 46-16 advantage.
The Bearcats played a solid second half of basketball as well. KCC kept up their defensive intensity in the half-court game and did a good job taking care of the basketball in the second half of play. The Bearcats had the game under control with a 63-25 lead when running time kicked in at the 9-minute mark of the second half and went on to claim the victory with a final score of 67-31.
We could not have scripted a better start to the contest. We came out strong and kept attacking on both ends of the floor. We created opportunities and were effective in finishing plays. We were ready to play after the long break over the holidays.
Scoring leaders: Morgan Turn 29, Ella Olson 9, Aidra Johnson 8, Julia Kujava 6, Elsa Steen 5, Cheyanne Scalese 4, Jenna Davis 4, Ellen Hilman 2
Rebound leaders: Ella Olson 7, Cheyanne Scalese 5, Aidra Johnson 4, Emma Sjostrand 4
Assist leaders: Jenna Davis 9, Cheyanne Scalese 5

ELLA OLSON, KCC BEARCAT junior goes around one of the Bears to get to the net. Olson scored 9 points and had 7 rebounds to help her team defeat the Bears.