Kimball girls start 2-0

By Kris Hagen, Assistant CoachThe Kimball Girls Basketball team has high expectations for the 2001-2 season, and so far they have not disappointed. The Lady Cubs began the season with back to back road wins against Maple Lake and Paynesville. Most encouraging is that the Cubs are doing this without last year’s team MVP, junior captain Tammy Kuechle. Kuechle, who broke a finger in a scrimmage before the season, is expected to return after Christmas. Kimball has returned all of their starters and reserves from last year, and is led by third-year Coach Steve Christians – last year’s Central Minnesota Conference Coach of the Year. Ironically, after being one of the youngest teams in the area for the past few years, the Cubs are one the most experienced teams in the CMC. Their top seven players all have at least one year of Varsity experience.

Last Thursday the Cubs travelled to Maple Lake for their first game. Kimball jumped out to a 12-2 lead early, but only led 12-9 after one quarter. The second quarter remained close until the Cubs exploded to finish the half with a 31-19 advantage. The second half saw more of the same as Kimball continued to force turnovers and fast-break their way to a 42-22 lead. The final score was 55-38. Kimball was led by Jenny Kunkel (18 points, 5-6 FT, 7 steals, 5 assists), Melanie Marquardt (14 points, 7 assists, 13 steals, 6 rebounds), and Katie Christensen (12 points, 4 rebounds, 2 blocked shots). Lindsey Christensen added 9 rebounds and 6 steals, while Kayleen Starcevic also added 9 rebounds.

The following night, Kimball travelled to Paynesville to face the Bulldogs, a team with young talent and some experienced upperclassmen. The Cubs once again jumped to a quick start, leading 10-2 midway through the first quarter. The game became very physical and emotional in the second quarter as the Bulldogs crawled back to within one point as their shooters got hot. A big turning point came late in the second quarter when Kunkel took a charge as Paynesville was looking to tie the score. The Cubs were able to hold a 28-24 lead at halftime. In the second half, Kimball wore down the Bulldogs with their pressure defense and fast-paced offense. The Cubs’ lead grew steadily to as many as twelve points in the fourth quarter. Marquardt and L. Christensen hit big three pointers and Starcevic was strong in the post. At the final buzzer Kimball was victorious, 59-49. The Cubs were led by Marquardt (25 points, 12-18 FT, 8 steals, 4 assists), Kunkel (12 points, 4 assists, 4 rebounds), and Starcevic (11 points, 12 rebounds, 3 steals). Lindsey Christensen added 8 points (2 3-poinerts) and Carla Henne-man netted 3.

Overall the team has been very strong defensively, holding Maple Lake to 29 percent shooting and forcing them into 43 turnovers. Paynesville only shot 27 percent from the field and committed 28 turnovers. Coach Christians still has concerns though, saying: “We have been jumping out to big leads in the first quarter, but have allowed the other team to come back.” Christians also plans to address the Cubs’ free-throw shooting, which so far this season is less than 50 percent. Kimball shot 65 percent from the free throw line last season; one of their season goals is to increase that to 70 percent. The Cubs’ next game is Tuesday, Dec. 4 in Kimball for their home opener against rival Annandale. Varsity plays at 7:30, while JV and C-squad start at 6:15. The following week Kimball will travel to Holdingford on Tuesday, Dec. 11, and will be home against Howard Lake on Friday, Dec. 14. Please come to support the Kimball Girls Basketball team throughout the season.

If you would like to see in-depth statistics and schedules, the Kimball girls have a website at: www.eteamz.com/kimball.