The Lady Cubs ended their season last Saturday night at Pierz High School, losing to Isle, 47-25 in the Section 5A playoffs. On Thursday, March 6, Kimball upset No. 4-seeded East Central, 54-48, earning the right to take on the Huskies. Kimball?Äôs Hannah Serbus scored first off the opening tip to give the Cubs early confidence. Kimball held a narrow lead early on until East Central took a 13-17 lead with just over seven minutes left in the half. By halftime Kimball held a slim 27-25 lead. At the 13-minute mark of the second frame, East Central connected on consecutive 3-point field goals to take back a 36-35 lead. From this point Kimball would make a game-changing scoring run. It would be a 16-2 flurry, that would give the Cubs a commanding 49-38 lead with just over six minutes to play. Kimball?Äôs lead would stand as they made just enough free throws down the stretch to keep it a two-possession game and close out the victory. It was a great performance by Kimball, gaining valuable playoff experience and winning on the road. ?ÄúFor a team with no seniors made up of all underclassman, traveling over two hours to play in enemy territory, and play well enough to beat a higher seeded team on their home court, was encouraging to see, and great to see our players step up as a team,?Äù said Coach Jeremy Kuechle.
Kimball?Äôs playoff run would end in the second round at the hands of the No. 1-seeded Isle team which sported a 25-2 record coming in. Isle would flex its experience as all starters were seniors forcing Kimball players into weak situations resulting in some poor decisions and suspect shot selection. Isle finished the game with a 47-25 win as the Cubs held their opponents offense in check for the most part but Kimball would shoot 9-40 on 2-point attempts and 0-10 on 3-pointers, while converting only 7 of 18 free throw attempts, resulting in a low offensive output.
Scoring summary, East Central game: Madison Libbesmeier, 7; Taylor Schreiner, 2; Hannah Serbus, 11; Madelyn O?ÄôBrien, 19; Nicole Vossen, 3; Caitlyn O?ÄôBrien, 6; Becky Holtz, 6. Scoring summary, Isle game: Emily Donnay, 3; Madison Libbesmeier, 3; Taylor Schreiner, 4; Victoria Denn, 1; Madelyn O?ÄôBrien, 9; Caitlyn O?ÄôBrien, 1; Becky Holtz, 4.
KAHS 2014 girls?Äô basketball team are pictured from left to right, in front, manager Shay Krippner, Tina Kastanek, and manager Montana Tschida. In middle row are Tori Denn, Nicole Vossen, Taylor Schreiner, Madison Libbesmeier, and Abbey Straley. In back are Hannah Serbus, Madison Hurrle, Madison O?ÄôBrien, coach Pettit, coach Kuechle, coach Stangle, Caitlin O?ÄôBrien, Becky Holtz, and Emily Donnay. Staff photo by Marguerite laabs.