Boyceville girls drop three in challenging week of games

PROTECTED CONTENT

If you’re a current subscriber, log in below. If you would like to subscribe, please click the subscribe tab above.

Username

Password

Login

Lost your password?

Username and Password Help

Please enter your email and we will send you a password reset link.

Email

Submit

← Back

by Laura Giammattei
Sports Correspondent

The Boyceville girls’ basketball team struggled last week in a tough run of losses against Spring Valley, Pepin/Alma and Colfax.

Boyceville, 0-3 and 0-9 overall, played at Baldwin-Woodville (3-0) Tuesday this week and will return to action following the holiday break to host Clayton (2-2) on Tuesday, January 4 and then head to Elk Mound (2-0) on Thursday, January 6.

Spring Valley

A slow first half for the Boyceville team proved to be their downfall in a 51-33 on-the-road Dunn-St. Croix Conference loss against Spring Valley last Tuesday.

The Bulldogs struggled to gather momentum on both ends of the court in the first half, scoring just five points while allowing 28. Determined to gain ground in the second half, the Bulldogs increased their pressure on the Cardinals (4-2, 2-1) and came back within 12 points with 7:00 remaining, however, a stout Spring Valley offense managed to keep Boyceville at bay.

Head coach Jay Lagerstrom noted that Spring Valley’s Mara Ducklow caused the most trouble for the team. “We didn’t do a good job defending the Ducklow girl and she shot the ball well,” he said.

Ducklow scored the majority of the Cardinal’s points with 26 and also finished with 10 rebounds, trailing teammate Charlie Vanasse who led Spring Valley with 12 rebounds.

Boyceville junior Hailey Hanestad piloted the Bulldogs both offensively and defensively, coming away with nine points, seven of which were added in the second half, and seven rebounds. Sophomore Hannah Dunn contributed eight points, connecting on two, three-pointers and one two-pointer. Sophomore Sarah Stoveren and junior Rachael Montgomery each put up five points a piece.

“We were just not ready to play at the opening whistle,” Lagerstrom said. “We shot extremely poorly from the perimeter and need to attack the basket more. The girls need to find whatever way they can within to come out with some intensity from the start and I have to put them in a better position to play that way.”

Following a non-conference 59-34 loss to the Eagles at Pepin High School Thursday, the Bulldogs returned to their home court Friday to host the Colfax Vikings.

Pepin/Alma

At Pepin, Dunn and Hanestad led the Bulldogs with 10 and 9 points, respectively. Dunn connected on two baskets from the inside, one from the outside and went three for four at the free throw line while Hanestad capitalized on five of her 13 free throws and sank one 2-pointer in each half. Stoveren found the net for eight points, including two 2-pointers and four from the free throw line.

Boyceville never got into the flow of the game as Pepin/Alma employed full-court pressure the yielded several turnovers and easy conversions for the Wolves who led 35-17 at halftime.

The Bulldogs also had a difficult time making shots against the Wolves zone as the went on to lose 59-34.

Colfax

At home against Colfax, the Bulldogs were met with a powerhouse of a team. Currently sitting at the top of the DSC, the Vikings dominated the court, handing the Bulldogs their third and final loss of the week, 59-24.

Junior Rachael Montgomery led the Bulldog offense with seven points, Olson and Dunn followed with four points apiece and junior Abby Schlough and sophomore Cora Leslie both added three points to the board.

Colfax led 38 to 13 at the intermission and cruised to the 35-point win as the Bulldogs struggle to find the net throughout the game.