Lady Cubs remain undefeated

On Friday, Jan. 10, the number four ranked team in class 2A, and defending CMC champs the Rockford Rockets came to the Wirth Gym for a conference match-up with the Lady Cubs. Just coming from a very emotional and physical win at EV-W, there was speculation that Kimball might not have any emotion or energy left for another big game. However, thanks to a huge, loud and energetic crowd, the Lady Cubs started the game aggressively, getting some quick steals and some easy buckets. Kimball led 7-2 early in the first quarter. The game see-sawed back and forth with the two teams trading buckets throughout the first quarter. Tammy Kuechle scored ten of her 21 points in the first frame, but it still wasn’t enough as Rockford led 19-16 after one quarter. Rockford began to use their size and worked the ball into their star post Karlee Simonson. Simonson was just coming off a 37 point, 15 rebound, nine steal game Tuesday night, and the Rockets knew they had the size advantage on the Lady Cubs. Simonson finished the second quarter scoring ten of her 19 points helping Rockford to a 35-31 lead at half-time. This marked the first time Kimball had trailed at half-time all year, and against a very good Rockford team. The locker room atmosphere remained upbeat and positive as the Lady Cubs made some adjustments, they knew they were down, but definitely not out. Kimball came out on fire in the third quarter, hitting three three-pointers and easily erasing the four-point lead. Marquardt held the hot hand, hitting two three-pointers and scoring fourteen points in the third quarter alone. Marquardt also scored her 1,000 career point at the end of the third quarter (see separate article). Kimball now led 51-47 after three quarters. The Lady Cubs seemed to wear out the Rockets in the fourth quarter, winning the quarter 16-6 and the game 67-51.     As a team, Kimball was 25/55 (47 percent) from the field and 13/21 (62 percent) from the free throw line. Individually, Kimball was led by Marquardt with 26 points, five rebounds, four steals and five assists; Kuechle with 21 points, 12 rebounds, five steals and four assists; Jenny Kunkel with six points, five steals, and seven assists; Montonye with six points; Henneman with four points and eight rebounds; Hentges with four points. Even though Amanda Linn and Tabitha Maus aren’t always in the state, they both have played major rolls in the success of this team so far this year. Linn played a great game on defense against Rockford, she played many minutes, had no turnovers and a couple of rebounds and steals. When she was in the game, the Cubs never missed a beat. Maus was limited with playing time this week as she has been recovering from the flu, but she has played vital rolls in all of the other games this season.     This was a big week for the Lady Cubs, first beating EV-W in Eden Valley and then Rockford at home. Kimball stands alone atop the CMC Conference with a 5-0 record and 8-0 overall. Kimball has three more conference games within the next two weeks. First we travel to Maple Lake on Thursday, Jan. 16, play at home against Pierz on Tuesday, Jan. 21, and then have a rematch with Rockford on Friday, Jan. 24, in Rockford. As a special note, Tammy Kuechle is two points away from her 1,000 career points. Let’s see if we can all make the short trip to Maple Lake on Thursday, Jan. 16, and show her how much she is appreciated for her individual and team accomplishments over her career at Kimball. Thanks to the band for playing at our Rockford game and to the great crowd who cheered us on, it really made our new gym feel like home.