Lady Cubs split the week

On Tuesday, Jan. 16, Kimball took on the Holdingford Huskers who stand alone and unbeaten at the top of the conference. The Lady Cubs jumped out to an 8-1 lead with free-throws by Allie Leither and Mazie Jurek, while Jurek also connected on an inside bucket, and Brookelyn Kuechle via the three-point line. Halfway through the first half, Hope Kuechle drained a three-pointer, as Kimball led 13-9, but many buckets would not fall for the Cubs as they trailed by seven points at halftime, 21-14.

In the second half, Allie Leither made 5 of 6 free-throws, while Ava Molitor scored four points, and Mazie Jurek tallied five points. -sabelle Schmitz contributed with a three-pointer, but the Cubs fell to the Huskers by a final score of 50-34.

Kimball played well enough to win, as they won most statistical categories, except for the one that counts the most: points scored. Kimball made only 9 of 48 field goals in the contest, shooting 5-for-22 on two-point field goals, and 4-for-26 on three-point field goals.

Kimball stats

Brookelyn Kuechle, 6 points, 1 steal; Hope Kuechle, 3 points, 4 assists; Allie Leither, 7 points, 6 rebounds; Sami Winter, 2 rebounds; Lily VonWahlde, 1 rebound, 1 assist; Ava Molitor, 4 points, 6 rebounds; Isabelle Schmitz, 3 points, 3 rebounds; Mazie Jurek, 11 points, 12 rebounds, 3 steals.

“We took care of the ball very well against their press. We took away their fast-break offense, held their best player below her average, and we worked for some quality shots on offense. I am proud of the way we played, as we set the table for a victory. However, sometimes the ball just doesn’t seem to go through the hoop, and it didn’t for us tonight,” said Coach Jeremy Kuechle.

Friday, Jan. 19 vs Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City

The Lady Cubs had to survive an early rush, as the Falcons jumped out to an 11-2 lead in the game’s first five minutes. Mazie Jurek and Sami Winter got the Cubs on the board with some interior baskets and, when Brookelyn Kuechle made a running floater, the Cubs took their first lead at 12-10 midway through the first half. After Sami Winter converted a three-point play the old-fashioned way, Lily “instant offense” VonWahlde checked into the game and connected on 3-of-3 treys, to spark the Cubs’ offense. Allie Leither and Hope Kuechle scored the final two first-half field goals as Kimball led 35-28 at halftime.

In frame two, Ava Molitor made back-to-back three-pointers and then drained her third via a contested high-arcing three-pointer. She was fouled and made the free-throw for a rare four-point play, giving the Cubs a 47-31 lead with 12:45 to play. Hope Kuechle, Mazie Jurek, and Allie Leither, took turns scoring next. Sami Winter was left unguarded as she knocked down a corner three to put the Cubs up 56-39 with 10:26 remaining. Brookelyn Kuechle made the next 3 field goals, converting on nice dribble attacks, while Hope Kuechle, Mazie Jurek, and Allie Leither scored the final Cubs points as they finished off a 72-52 conference victory.

The Cubs played hungry on defense and had a balanced offensive attack with five players in double figures, while Mazie Jurek managed a double-double with 10 points and 13 rebounds, despite playing fewer minutes because of foul trouble.

The win gets the Cubs’ conference record back to .500 at 4-4 and an overall record of 6-11 with nine regular-season games remaining.

The Cubs play next at home against Royalton on Thursday, Jan. 25. They are hoping to avenge a 26-point loss at the hands of the Royals earlier in the season.

Kimball stats

Brookelyn Kuechle, 15 points, 3 assists, 3 steals; Hope Kuechle, 7 points, 8 assists, 6 steals; Allie Leither, 11 points, 8 rebounds; Sami Winter, 8 points, 8 rebounds, 4 steals; Lily VonWahlde, 11 points, 2 steals; Ava Molitor, 10 points, 2 steals; Mazie Jurek, 10 points, 13 rebounds.

“Tonight we got to see the improvement we’ve been making as a team this season, as we put together a solid game in all aspects. If we can continue playing this kind of basketball, it’s going to make for some fun games ahead,” Coach Kuechle offered.