Caledonia Argus

Thrills and chillsñ Caledonia girlsí basketball outlasts Spring Grove in a game to remember

Posted: 12/17/02

by Andrew Miller
Argus Sports Writer

There is little doubt as to the power that both the Caledonia and the Spring Grove girlsí basketball teams possess. Yes, they are both comprised of competent athletes capable of lighting up the scoreboard at the drop of a hat, but this isnít the type of power Iím talking about. The power I speak of is the ability to make a gymnasium full of reasonably civilized spectators yell out absurd phrases like ìfiddlesticks!î and ìjeepers creepers!î for nearly two hours at a stretch.

On December 10, the two teamís did just that, treating fans in attendance to four full quarters of ìshucks and gee golly!î entertainment. Caledonia claimed a 61-59 victory in the final minute, due in large part to a ferocious rebound by Natasha Meyer, preventing a final offensive from Spring Grove. The game saw 24 lead changes, and neither team led by more than five points. Add this to the record-setting scoring spree of Spring Groveís Jenny Schieber, who had 33 points, in addition to the double-double posted by Caledoniaís Teresa Klug, and youíve got a game to write home about. Which I didñ and still, no reply from mother.

Caledonia Coach Scott Sorenson was impressed with his teamís performance, and was also enthralled by the overall blood pressure-raising spectacle.

ìThis was the most exciting game I have ever been associated (with),î Sorenson said. ìI was very proud of our girls; they gave it all they had.

ìOffensively, we played about as good as we couldñ we were making crisp passes and making good decisions. Defensively, we gave up too many things, but we shut down two of the players we keyed in on.

ìWe were able to handle their pressure, which was one of our focuses on the year; the best thing about beating a press is the lay-ups you get to shoot on the other end.

ìWe need to go into every game with this type of focus and determination.î

Stats

For Caledonia, Teresa Klug had 18 points, 11 rebounds, and three steals. Natasha Meyer had 11 points and four steals. Tricia Ingvalson had 14 points, Emily Reining had eight, Jacquelyn Hauser had four (in addition to five steals), and Ashley Bearbower, Lindsey Bartelson, and Sarah Doty each had two points.

For Spring Grove, Jenny Schieber had 33 points, Jenna Ingvalson had 11, Kelsey Anderson had eight, Bethany Morken had 4, and Erin Wiste had three.

Finesse after the fury

Following their sprint-shoot-sprint antics against Spring Grove, the Warrior girls decided to slow down the pace in a match-up against Goodhue on December 13. The cunning stratagem paid off, earning them a 31-26 victory.

ìWe did not play our best ball, but we played well enough to win,î said Sorenson. ìI was again proud of our girls (for) how they kept fighting even when things were not going our way. We had a tough shooting night; we were in a position to make the shots, they just did not go down. On nights like this you need to really step up your defense and rebounding and we were able to do that.î

Stats

For Caledonia, Natasha Meyer and Emily Reining each had seven points, Sarah Doty had six, Tricia Ingvalson and Teresa Klug each had four, Lindsey Bartelson had two, and Kate Hanson had one. Sarah Doty lead Warrior rebounders with eight.

For Goodhue, Haley OíConnor had 10 points, Jenn Gadient had nine, Michelle Roschen had three, and Kamie Carlson and Katie Peters each had two.

The Warriorsí next game is at 7:30 p.m. on December 19 at Fillmore Central.

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