By Pat Garry, Staff Writer
The Kimball girls basketball team defeated Paynesville, 40-34 Monday, Jan. 31. On Thursday, Feb. 3, the Cubs lost a 60-58 thriller to Annandale, and on Friday, Kimball fell to Holdingford, 70-62. Central Minnesota Conference-leading Kimball moved to 8-1 against CMC foes after beating Paynesville on the road.
Paynesville game
Kimball traveled to Paynesville in CMC action and jumped out to an early lead, with two free-throws from senior Madelyn Hunt, then 3 points by sophomore Ava Molitor, a couple of lay-ups by junior Ellie Kuechle and a three-ball by sophomore Brookelyn Kuechle. Junior Kristen Hilbert scored to put the Cubs up 20-11 at the intermission. In the second half, junior Olivia Mortenson dropped a three, followed by another Molitor bucket to put Kimball up 25-11. Ellie Kuechle and Molitor scored consecutive baskets, to make it 29-15 with 12:36 to play. The Bulldogs scored 10 straight and made it 29-25, but the Cubs extended their lead back to 34-25 with 7:20 remaining. Ellie Kuechle connected on a 3-pointer with 4:21 to play, and Kimball held on for a 40-34 victory.
Kimball stats
Madelyn Hunt, 2 points, 5 assists, 2 steals, 1 charge taken; Brookleyn Kuechle, 3 pts, 2 rebounds, 1 charge taken; Olivia Mortenson, 3 points, 3 rebounds, 3 steals; Allie Leither, 3 points, 3 steals; Ellie Kuechle, 11 points, 12 steals; Ava Molitor, 7 points, 4 rebounds; Kristen Hilbert, 11 points, 13 rebounds (Notables: Kimball shot 7/17 from the free-throw line, had 10 turnovers, created 21 steals, and forced 25 turnovers).
“There are a lot of different ways to win a ball game, and our defense came up big tonight and gave us a chance on a night when our offense was a little off, said Coach Jeremy Kuechle.
Annandale game
Kimball visited Annandale and the Cardinals welcomed them with some early, easy baskets and built an 8-2 lead. At the 10:41 mark in the first half, the Cubs tied things at 14, on a 3-pointer by junior Ellie Kuechle, one of her (5) treys in the contest. Nearing half-time, senior Madelyn Hunt drained one of her (3) 3-pointers, giving the Cubs a 28-21 advantage. Kimball’s E. Kuechle scored the last 7 points of the half, putting the Cubs up 35-25, at the hiatus.
In the second frame, the Cardinals closed the lead to 35-32, but Hunt and Molitor scored to give Kimball a 41-32 lead. The Cardinals closed it to 41-36, but junior Kristen Hilbert’s field goal and E. Kuechle’s 3-pointer, pushed Kimball’s lead to 46-36 with 12:25 remaining. Kimball ultimately snared a 56-51 advantage with 2:16 to play, but the Cardinals cut it to 56-55, with 32 seconds showing. Annandale took the lead, 58-56, with just 15 seconds remaining, and Kimball tied the game at 58 all, at the 5-second mark. The Cardinals’ last effort was fruitful, as they were able to get a side-out inbound shot off, just before the buzzer; and it fell in. The Cardinals celebrated an exciting 60-58 victory over the Cubs.
Kimball stats
Madelyn Hunt, 11 points, 8 assists, 4 steals; Olivia Mortenson, 2 points, 4 assists, 4 rebounds; Allie Leither, 1 rebound; Ellie Kuechle, 23 points, 5 steals, 4 assists, 5 rebounds; Ava Molitor, 9 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steals; Kristen Hilbert, 13 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists.
“It’s tough when you have a lead most of the game and just can’t find a way to come up with enough big plays down the stretch to finish the job. But we have to give Annandale some credit, as they fought to the end and found a way to win,” Coach Kuechle commented Friday, Feb. 4.
Holdingford game
Kimball hosted Holdingford on Friday and the Huskers’ offense began the game clicking on all cylinders, as they stormed out to a 46-30 half-time lead. Bright spots in the first half offensively for the Cubs, were junior Olivia Mortenson’s (two) first half three-pointers and sophomore Ava Molitor’s 11 points. Out of the break the Huskers built their lead to 51-30, scoring on their first two possessions. Kimball chipped away, scoring back-to-back baskets, via senior Hunt and junior Kristen Hilbert. Treys by Hunt and Mortenson brought the score to 61-50 with 8:13 left. But the Cubs’ attempt at a come-back came up short, and the Huskers prevailed by a final score of 70-62.
Kimball stats
Madelyn Hunt, 9 points, 8 assists, 3 steals; Olivia Mortenson, 12 points, 5 rebounds; Allie Leither, 1 rebound, 1 assist; Ellie Kuechle, 9 points, 5 steals, 2 charges taken; Ava Molitor, 18 points, 9 rebounds; Lexi Myers, 3 rebounds; Kristen Hilbert, 14 points, 5 rebounds; Kimball’s record is now 15-5 overall and 8-2 in the CMC.
“I give our players credit for keeping their heads up and continuing to battle, despite our large deficit. We didn’t have any answers defensively in the first half, but we played much better and just ran out of time, as we gained momentum throughout the second half,” said Coach Kuechle.