Lady Toppers end conference season with a road win

By Kelsie Hoitomt

ELMWOOD — The Glenwood City girls’ basketball team ended their regular season on a high note after defeating the Elmwood Raiders 43-37 last Thursday, February 21.

The Toppers were off to an early lead in the first quarter after sophomore Moriah Kuehndorf, who sat out of several games due to a toe injury, drained two treys and another basket for eight of the teams 11 points.

However, the Toppers let out a little too much slack in the second quarter and the Raiders were able to take a one-point lead after posting 14 points for a 19-18 score at halftime.

It was a long eight minutes of fouling as the Topper’s seven points scored in that half were from free throws. The Raiders had eight of their 14 points scored from free throws as well.

The Hilltoppers regained their composure after the half and they were able to take over the lead in the third quarter after scoring 12 points from baskets by Kelsie Knops, Olivia Weidling, Janessa Ullom and Jen Kopacz, who drained the third three pointer of the night.

With the score at 30-26 going into the fourth quarter, the Toppers stayed strong at the net with a trey by Kristie Knops and baskets by Kuehndorf, Kopacz and Weidling for the win.

The Toppers were below average at the foul line with just nine of their 21 free throw attempts making it through the net. The Raiders were just 50 percent at the line as well with 14 of their 26 attempts being successful.

Kuehndorf was the points leader of the game with 14 from the two triples, three deuces and two free throws. She is currently the team’s number two leader in points per game with an average of 8.2; Kopacz is number one with a 9.1 average.

Weidling had ten points, Kopacz had nine, Kristie Knops had five, Kelsie Knops and Ullom had two and Morgan Kadinger had a free throw.

The Hilltoppers finished their 2012-13 conference season with an 8-8 record, which is a two game improvement after they were 6-10 last season.

The Toppers played their first Regional game Tuesday, February 26 at home against Turtle Lake. The winner of that game advances to play the winner of the Clayton/New Auburn game that will be this Friday, March 1 at 7:00 p.m.