Glenwood girls finally win in Colfax

COLFAX — It was a feat nearly two decades in the making.

After years of hardwood futility in Colfax, the Glenwood City girls’ basketball team finally broke through for a 50-33 win in a Saturday, January 16 double header with the boys’ teams. It was the girls’ first victory on the Vikings’ home court in several years.

“It’s been a long time since Glenwood City won in Colfax,” said Toppers’ head coach Justin Kuehndorf following the win. “I don’t think we have beaten them here (in Colfax) for at least 15 to 20 years.”

Which made the win even that much sweeter.

The game was tight throughout the first half of play but Glenwood City used a six to two run in the final few minutes to take a 28-23 lead into the locker room.

The Hilltoppers picked up right where they had left off, outscoring the Vikings 12-3 to open the second half and never looked back.

“The girls played a nice second half after they got settled into the game,” stated Kuehndorf. “I felt we played better defense and rebounded pretty well as the game went on and we were fortunate enough to come out on top for the first time in many years against Colfax.”

Glenwood City finished with a 22-10 scoring advantage in the second half. Colfax made just three of its 28 three pointer attempts and had none in the second half despite putting up many of those attempts in the latter half as they fell further behind.

Three Topper seniors scored in the double digits. Rachel Klatt led the way with 17 points, 14 of which came in the opening half. Morgan Kadinger tallied 13 and Gabby Peterson had 11 points.

Dempsey Fogarty and Alyssa Dachel had eight and six points respectively to lead Colfax.

“I’m very proud of the kids and they earned a great win,” added Kuehndorf. “It’s exciting to see the improvements throughout the season. The kids have great attitudes and work extremely hard for each other.”

Colfax took a 8-4 lead on a made three-point shot which prompted Kuehndorf to call time out at 13:24.

The Vikings added a free throw before Rachel Klatt deposited consecutive baskets to get the Toppers within a point.

An Alley Heidorn bucket gave Colfax a three-point lead at 11-8.

But the Toppers embarked on a nine to nothing run.

Morgan Kadinger got things started with a steal and score for two. Jenesa Klinger followed with a hoop that gave the Hilltoppers their first lead since it was 2-0.

Klatt scored consecutive baskets, the latter coming off a Klinger steal.

Kadinger stole the ball but missed the layup but Klinger tracked down the miss and was fouled. She made one of two foul shots as Glenwood City extended its advantage to 17-11.

Emma Hurlburt scored a basket from in the paint to break the Toppers’ run and move Colfax back to within four points.

After a Toppers turnover, Alyssa Dachel tied the game with the rare four-point play. Dachel swished a trey near the top of the arc and was fouled by Glenwood’s Mariah Voeltz. Dachel made the free toss to knot the contest at 17.

Gabby Peterson scored to put the Toppers up by two but Bryana Buchanan and Savannah Henricks each made a charity throw to tie the game once more.

The Toppers took the lead for good on a Gabby Peterson free throw and a putback basket from Becca Moll.

Hurlburt added another inside basket to trim Glenwood City’s lead to 22-21 but the Toppers finished the half on a 6-2 run as Klatt hit back-to-back hoops and Kadinger canned a long two to send Glenwood City into halftime with a 28-23 lead.

Colfax’s Dempsey Fogarty scored the first points of the second half following a Topper turnover.

But Gabby Peterson kick started a 12-2 Toppers’ run with a big three-point basket.

Maya Petersen sandwiched two free throws around a Kadinger basket.

The Glenwood City lead hit double figures when Rachel Klatt scored her only hoop of the second half and gave the Toppers a 37-26 lead. It grew to 40-27 on a Maya Petersen basket followed by a charity toss from Kadinger.

Kadinger scored twice as the Toppers increased their advantage to 45-31.

Glenwood City then sank five of eight free tosses in the closing minutes to take the 50-33 win.

The win moved Glenwood City into a three-way tie with Colfax and Durand for second place. All three teams are 5-2 in Dunn-St. Croix action and trail leader Elk Mound by two games. The Toppers will be in Elk Mound this Thursday, January 21 to take on the Mounders. Glenwood City (10-2 overall) hosted Grantsburg Tuesday (January 19) and will welcome Plum City/Elmwood this coming Tuesday, January 26.