This story is sponsored by: Marshfield Chips
By Paul Lecker
MarshfieldAreaSports.com
STRATFORD – The Stratford girls basketball team have had on and off games on the offensive end through the early part of the season, but one thing that has been consistent is its defensive effort.
The Tigers put together another gem on the defensive end Tuesday, holding Auburndale without a made field goal for more than 11 minutes in the second half on their way to a 51-31 win in a Marawood Conference South Division matchup at Stratford High School.
The Tigers are now 7-0 overall and 5-0 in the Marawood South, winning every game by double figures and allowing more than 35 points just once.
“Our defense was outstanding,” Stratford coach Tammie Christopherson said. “I’ve preached that for years and years. We’ve always had the defense, but we haven’t always necessarily had the offense in some years. This year we have the offense to go along with it.”
Stratford took control from the start, pulling out to a 14-7 lead after a basket by Emily Zuelke off an offensive rebound with 8:11 to go in the first half.
Lily Bellanti scored three points for Auburndale to cut it to four before Stratford pulled away.
Carly Pankratz hit a 3-pointer to start a 17-8 run to close the half as the Tigers led 31-18 at the break.
“Offensively, we’ve talked about consistency, and we got a lot of points from a lot of different places,” Christopherson said. “I’ve said all along, that is what makes a team tough to beat when you can’t just key in on one person.”
A basket by Myah Katzenberger, who led Auburndale with 10 points, brought the Eagles to within 10 at 34-24 before they went cold.
Stratford buckled down defensively, holding Auburndale (5-2, 3-2 Marawood South) without a field goal for 11:19.
Inside baskets by Zuelke and Tria Tubbs sparked a 14-3 run that put away the win for Stratford.
Carly Pankratz finished with 16 points, Tubbs added 10 and Casperson nine in the win for the Tigers.
“We had a game plan coming in, and to be honest, this is the best we’ve ever executed, last year and this year,” Christopherson said. “Everyone just did their job. That is a good scoring team, averaging in the 50s, and our young ladies just dug in and didn’t give up anything easily.”
Both teams are back in action Thursday with Stratford traveling to Wausau Newman Catholic and Auburndale hosting Edgar.
Tigers 51, Eagles 31
Auburndale 18 13 – 31
Stratford 31 20 – 51
AUBURNDALE (31): Kylie Anderson 1 0-0 3, Chesney Nagel 0 0-0 0, Lily Bellanti 3 2-4 8, Gracie Hasenohrl 1 0-0 2, Taylor Anderson 0 0-0 0, Katey Brunton 0 0-0 0, Sidney Wolff 0 0-0 0, Alivia Wolf 0 0-0 0, Rose Hasenohrl 1 4-6 6, Breleigh Grimm 0 0-0 0, Oriah Harris 0 0-2 0, Mya Krings 1 0-0 2, Lili Grube 0 0-0 0, Myah Katzenberger 5 0-2 10. FG: 12. FT: 6-14. 3-pointers: 1 (K. Anderson 1). Rebounds: 23 (Katzenberger 7). Fouls: 16. Fouled out: none. Record: 5-2, 3-2 Marawood Conference South Division.
STRATFORD (51): Kayla Casperson 1 7-11 9, Laney Pankratz 1 0-0 2, Carly Pankratz 5 4-4 16, Kassedey Downey 0 0-0 0, Emily Zuelke 3 0-0 6, Daisy Yoder 2 0-2 5, MyKayla Stueber 1 0-0 2, Tria Tubbs 5 0-0 10, Abbi Lewerenz 0 0-0 0, Erika Frick 0 1-2 1. FG: 18. FT: 12-19. 3-pointers: 3 (C. Pankratz 2, Yoder 1). Rebounds: 27 (Casperson 7). Fouls: 13. Fouled out: none. Record: 7-0, 5-0 Marawood Conference South Division.