Bearcats girls have full week before Christmas break
By Mark Johnson, coach
KCC 82 – SAC 44
The Bearcats rolled down Highway 75 on Tuesday, Dec. 17 to take on the Stephen-Argyle Storm in a Northern Galaxy Conference matchup. KCC looked to remain undefeated on the season, while the Storm had their sights set on knocking off the visitor.
The first half was a battle from the onset. The Storm pounded on the Bearcats on the defensive end of the floor and challenged KCC on every shot attempt. The physical play had the Bearcats a bit off balance and had them on their heels. KCC held tough and made a surge right at the end of the first half to pull out to a 37-30 lead at the break.
The second half was a different story for the Bearcats. KCC stormed out of the gate to quickly and efficiently gain control of the contest. The Bearcats defense threw on their 1-3-1 half court pressure and forced the Storm into turnover after turnover. KCC converted those turnovers into points and rode that momentum to a 45-14 second half advantage and coasted to an 82-44 victory over the Storm.
The girls responded well in the second half. SAC did a good job in the first half of hanging tough and being very physical. We responded very well and took the fight to them in the second half. The girls cranked up the defensive pressure and attacked in the transition game. They made the extra pass to get the best offensive opportunity for their teammates.
Scoring leaders: Morgan Turn 26, Kaydence White 18,Greta Kuznia 13, Lily Peterson 12, McKinley Folland 4, Aliyah Vig 3, Hanna Warnke 2,Berlyn Strege 2, Afton Lindgren 2
Rebound leaders: Lily Peteson 7, Morgan Turn 7, Afton Lindgren 5, Kaydence White 5
Assist leaders: Lily Peterson 5, Afton Lindgren 4
Sacred Heart
Christmas Tournament
KCC 92 -Roseau 29
KCC had a new opportunity this year to compete in the Sacred Heart Christmas Tournament in East Grand Forks. The Bearcats drew the Roseau Rams in the opening game on Friday, Dec. 20.
It was all Bearcats from the opening tip. KCC scored on their first 5 possessions and jumped out to an 11-0 lead on those first 5 possessions. The Bearcats continued that onslaught and built a 14-0 lead before the Rams got a basket to fall. KCC then went on a 35-4 run and completely put the game out of reach. The Bearcats finished the half with a 55-11 advantage.
KCC continued their strong play in the second half. They dumped in another 37 second-half points while holding the Rams to just 18 and cruised to the 92-29 victory and a place in the championship game at noon on Saturday, Dec. 21.
We were able to get a lot of players in and out of the game. All eleven of our players got in the scoring column and did a good job of playing off of each other’s strengths. The whole group stayed focused from start to finish and never wavered in their intensity.
Scoring leaders: Greta Kuznia 18, Morgan Turn 17, Kaydence White 14, Lily Peteson 13, Kasey Waling 8, Aliyah Vig 7, Afton Lindgren 5, Berlyn Strege 4, Hanna Warnke 2, Kami Hanson 2, McKinley Folland 2
Rebound leaders: Afton Lindgren 7, Greta Kuznia 4
Assist leaders: McKinley Folland 7, Hanna Warnke 4, Lily Peterson 3, Berlyn Strege 3
KCC 70 – Hillcrest 72
The championship game of the tournament featured two teams ranked in the top 10 in Minnesota Class A basketball. Both teams came in undefeated on the season and both teams had posted impressive wins to advance to the championship game.
The Comets and Bearcats battled in the opening half and exchanged punches for the full 18 minutes of play. The two teams slugged it out on both ends of the floor and were relentless in their effort and execution. The first half was a basketball fan’s delight and neither team was willing to give an inch. Both just kept attacking each other. The first half ended with the Comets holding a 38-35 lead.
The second half proved to be just as entertaining as the first. Both teams showed their mettle as the game progressed. It was the Comets who finally grabbed the first real advantage of the game using their full-court pressure and Bearcat turnovers to pull out to a 69-59 lead with 2:27 left in the game. KCC responded and put the defensive clamps on the Comets and closed the lead to 72-70 with :01.2 left in the game. The Bearcats intentionally missed their final free throw and executed a crossing play to garner the offensive rebound but ran out of time to get a shot up as the clock expired to end the game.
It was a really good test for us as a team. It was a very fine line that separated the two teams. A play here or there, and the final outcome is reversed in our favor. Those are the competitive games that we need to play in order to truly get better night in and night out.”
The Bearcats’ Morgan Turn and Kaydence White were named to the All-Tournament team in recognition of their play and performance over the two games.
Scoring leaders: Kaydence White 26, Morgan Turn 21, Greta Kuznia 7, McKinley Folland 6, Berlyn Strege 5, Hanna Warnke 3, Aliyah Vig 2
Rebound leaders: Kaydence White 14, Berlyn Strege 8, Afton Lindgren 6, Morgan Turn 6
Assist leaders: Berlyn Strege 5, Morgan Turn 3, McKinley Folland 3
BEARCAT LILY PETERSON works to keep the ball away from a Storm player on Tuesday, Dec. 17. She contributed 13 points in the match and 3 assists. (KC Media Arts photo)
BEARCAT HANNA WARNKE maneuvers her way around a Storm player in the team’s 82-44 win on Tuesday, Dec. 17.
(KC Media Arts photo)
BEARCAT LILY PETERSON works to keep the ball away from a Storm player on Tuesday, Dec. 17. She contributed 13 points in the match and 3 assists. (KC Media Arts photo)
