This story is sponsored by: American Family Insurance-Randy LeMoine Agency
By Steve Pilz
For MarshfieldAreaSports.com
SPENCER – The Spencer Rockets girls were coming off a nonconference win at Athens on Monday night, seeking some revenge from an Owen-Withee squad that beat them by eight on Dec. 10 at Owen-Withee.
After a strong first half, the Rockets’ shooting went from OK to dismal, as they dropped their Cloverbelt Conference East Division contest to the Blackhawks 54-44 on Tuesday at Spencer High School.
“They (Owen-Withee) definitely got in the low post in the second half,” said first-year Sepcner coach, and Rockets alumnus, Krystal Weier. “That was to their advantage for sure. Good for them. We just weren’t hitting shots after that, unfortunately. You can have games like that.”
Weier was being kind as the Rockets went 7-for-21 from the field in the first half but could muster just five made field goals in the second half on 29 attempts to seal their fate.
The Rockets (6-9, 3-8 Cloverbelt East) went into intermission tied at 23 after a seesaw first half that saw several lead changes.
The Blackhawks (5-9, 4-7 Cloverbelt East) posed problems in the post in the second half for the smaller Rockets and went to the foul line 21 times. They only cashed in 10 times and only shot 11-for-28 for the game, but it was enough to keep Spencer at bay.
The Rockets closed the lead to four a couple times, the last at the 2:25 mark, but couldn’t buy a hoop down the stretch, going 12-for-50 on the night from the field.
“These girls work hard,” continued Weier. “Let’s just hope they get them to fall. We’re improving and that’s what matters in the end.”
When asked how her first season has evolved, Weier said its been a learning curve.
“Going into my first year I was new and learning the ropes,” Weier said. “I think the key thing is, you never really know enough. I’m learning the plays and the players; plays that work well for us and those that don’t. Still learning the atmosphere and that’s the hardest thing. The first year is hard, but it’s fun.”
Brianna Simington led the Blackhawks in scoring with 16 points and Hailey Geldernick added 13. The Rockets were led by Heavyn Kind with 19 points and Aryiah Schuh added 10.
Spencer returns to action Friday at Gilman.
Blackhawks 54, Rockets 44
Owen-Withee 23 31 – 54
Spencer 23 21 – 44
OWEN-WITHEE (54): Jasmine Stock 1 1-3 3, Hannah Shelton 2 3-5 7, Katie Erickson 3 1-3 7, Brianna Simington 5 4-8 16, Alexis Nernberger 3 1-3 8, Hailey Geldernick 5 1-6 13. FG: 18-43. FT: 11-28. 3-pointers: 5 (Geldernick 2, Simington 2, Nernberger). Turnovers: 20. Fouled out: none. Record: 5-9, 4-7 Cloverbelt East.
SPENCER (44): Madison Knecht 1 1-3 4, Zalexis Manigel 0 2-2 2, Jorie Meyer 1 3-4 5, Heavyn Kind 5 8-11 19, Aryiah Schuh 4 01- 10, Elexa Post 1 2-4 4. FG: 12-50. FT: 16-26. 3-pointers: 4 (Schuh 2, Knecht, Kind). Turnovers: 16. Fouled out: Manigel, Amanda Becker, Meyer. Record: 6-9, 3-8 Cloverbelt East.