Photo by Keith Stewart
Okaw Valley’s Jessica Robinson tries to stand tall against Nokomis’ Ashley Schneider last Wednesday. Between Robinson and Natalie Jeffers, Schneider still scored 24 points in the regional semi-final victory over OV.

February 18, 2015

OV unable to stop Schneider’s post play

by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com

The Lady Timberwolves struggled to find an answer for Nokomis’ 5 foot, 10 inch senior Ashey Schneider last Wednesday in the Central A&M regional semi-final. Schneider finished with 24 points and seven rebounds and helped lead her team past OV 43-32.
“We knew what kind of player she was,” said Gardner. “We did our best. We were fronting her; we had different girls on her; we were trying to help weak side, but you have to give credit where credit’s due, and she had a phenomenal game. Had we had a shot fall here or there, then it could be the difference between a win or a loss. The girls battled hard, and they fought and did not quit. That’s the kind of team we are.”
OV was down 16-25 at the half after repeated issues getting shots to fall in both the first and second. But the Lady Timberwolves made a third quarter surge that was good while it lasted. Read More

February 11, 2015

Hopes for regional championship bid dashed

By Matt Kracht
NP Sports Reporter

The Lady Knights gave no. 2 seed Arcola all they wanted and more during the ISHA class 1A regional semifinal Tuesday night in Casey Westfield. With 25 seconds remaining and Arcola leading 49-42 Hannah Wallen knocked down back-to-back threes bringing the Knights to within one with six seconds remaining. Wallen, a freshman who has ice water running threw her veins, finished with a game high 22 points almost brought the Knights back from an 11-point fourth quarter deficit. But Arcola would hold off the attempt for a 51-48 win.
Head coach Craig Moffett’s team looked the better side for much of the game, and he was quick to point out the girls had nothing to hang their heads about. Read More

February 11, 2015

Fall in semi-finals Tuesday

By Matt Kracht
NP Sports Reporter

Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond‘s defense showed up to play in their first round regional game against Martinsville in Casey-Westfield Monday night. The Knights came up with 25 steals, holding the Blue Streaks to eight points in the first half and three points in the second. Hannah Wallen scored a game high 16 points to go with six rebounds and three steals leading the Knights to a memorable 37 point victory. Head coach Craig Moffett acknowledged the team couldn’t have asked for a better start to the tournament.
“It was ideal. All the girls played well from the starters down to everyone who came off the bench. It was a great team effort.” Read More

Photo by Matt Kracht
The ALAH Lady Knights celebrated their two seniors Monday night, Elyse Harris (left) and Emily Powell (right). ALAH defeated Decatur LSA 48-23.

February 4, 2015

Harris, Powell get victorious send-off

By Matt Kracht
NP Sports Reporter

The Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond Lady Knights honored Elyse Harris and Emily Powell Monday for senior night, mauling the LSA Lions in a dominant 48-23 performance. Kim Davis scored a game high 20 points and Hannah Wallen added eight points respectively.
The Lady Knights led 12-0 for most of the first quarter before Decatur LSA( Lutheran School Association) scored their first basket with under a minute remaining in the first quarter.
“I thought our defensive rotation and defensive block-outs were better than they had been,” said ALAH head coach Craig Moffett. “So those are two things we need to keep working on, but I was proud of the girls' effort tonight. They did a good job. Also we limited turnovers, and that is the key. If we can limit turnovers, rebound, and shoot with confidence, we can be dangerous.” Read More

February 4, 2015

Arcola gets best of back-and-forth affair

By Matt Kracht
NP Sports Reporter

It was groundhogs day again in Bethany on Tuesday night for the Timberwolves boys’ basketball team as for the second time in little over a week the team fell in a close game to the Purple Riders.
In both contests, Arcola jumped out to an early lead only to watch Okaw Valley storm back before struggling in the fourth quarter.
“We are familiar with themm and they are familiar with us,” said head coach Tony Sparks. “They threw a 1-3-1 zone at us we had not seen, and we threw a 1-3-1 zone that they had not seen. So we were on the same wavelength.” Read More