Whitko Girls Beat Squires
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Cliff Tanner-
"We did a good job tonight coming back from the game at Canterbury earlier in the week. I am proud of the start we made for ourselves in the TRC," Whitko coach Rob Bell said.[[In-content Ad]]Katie Bowers of Manchester hit a three-point basket in the first quarter to give Manchester an early 3-2 lead.
It was never close the rest of the game.
While forcing eight turnovers, the Wildcats never allowed the Squires to score again in the first quarter. Whitko, led by Jenneca Juillerat with five points in the frame, closed out the quarter with a 15-0 run to lead 17-3 after one.
"Whitko came out and played a very physical game tonight. They are definitely the better team right now. When a team can beat Warsaw and Columbia City at home you know they are on the right track. You just have to give them credit," Manchester coach Mark Underwood said.
Bowers hit a free throw with 7:11 in the second quarter to finally end the Squire scoring drought.
With 2:53 left in the first half Manchester's Julie Seifert hit a jumper to end the Squire field goal streak since early in the first.
"I am proud of the way the girls played defense tonight. We put continuous pressure on them in the first half causing turnovers. We held them to 10 points in the first," Bell said.
"Most of our mistakes tonight were mental. The pressure Whitko put on us really affected the girls. Our free throw shooting wasn't good tonight and that was also mental," Underwood said.
Manchester shot 12 of 32 from the free throw on the night.
"I know the girls can hit the free throws, we have worked very hard in practice. We have played them hard and made them shoot free throws as if in a game situation. We just need to hit them. I don't know if it would have affected tonight's game or not, we just need to hit them on a more consistent basis," Underwood said.
Juillerat led Whitko with 15 points while sitting most of the fourth quarter. She also finished the game with seven rebounds and one steal.
"We did a great job getting the ball down to the post to Emily Bidwell tonight. When you can consistently do that then you can open your outside game and we did that tonight," Bell said.
Bidwell led all players with 10 rebounds and also chipped in with eight points.
Niki Shepard came off the bench when Jamie Westness and Vericona Jersey got into foul trouble early. Shepherd finished with nine points, three rebounds and one steal.
Ashley Hoopingarner played a key part in the Wildcat defense with four steals. Two of the steals she took to the basket and converted into lay ups. She finished the game with six points and also pulled down a rebound.
"The nice thing about this year's team is that they have played together for awhile and there are about six of them that can and will step up to help out. They just know how to pick each other up," Bell said.
Bowers led all scorers with 18 points, 13 of which came in the second half. She also contributed on defense with three steals and four rebounds.
Westness and Jersey contributed to the Whitko cause with eight and four points, respectively.
The Wildcats are in action again Thursday when they host West Noble. Whitko's next conference game is at Tippecanoe Valley next Saturday.
Manchester hosts Lakeland Christian Tuesday and plays at conference foe Southwood Friday.
"We did a good job tonight coming back from the game at Canterbury earlier in the week. I am proud of the start we made for ourselves in the TRC," Whitko coach Rob Bell said.[[In-content Ad]]Katie Bowers of Manchester hit a three-point basket in the first quarter to give Manchester an early 3-2 lead.
It was never close the rest of the game.
While forcing eight turnovers, the Wildcats never allowed the Squires to score again in the first quarter. Whitko, led by Jenneca Juillerat with five points in the frame, closed out the quarter with a 15-0 run to lead 17-3 after one.
"Whitko came out and played a very physical game tonight. They are definitely the better team right now. When a team can beat Warsaw and Columbia City at home you know they are on the right track. You just have to give them credit," Manchester coach Mark Underwood said.
Bowers hit a free throw with 7:11 in the second quarter to finally end the Squire scoring drought.
With 2:53 left in the first half Manchester's Julie Seifert hit a jumper to end the Squire field goal streak since early in the first.
"I am proud of the way the girls played defense tonight. We put continuous pressure on them in the first half causing turnovers. We held them to 10 points in the first," Bell said.
"Most of our mistakes tonight were mental. The pressure Whitko put on us really affected the girls. Our free throw shooting wasn't good tonight and that was also mental," Underwood said.
Manchester shot 12 of 32 from the free throw on the night.
"I know the girls can hit the free throws, we have worked very hard in practice. We have played them hard and made them shoot free throws as if in a game situation. We just need to hit them. I don't know if it would have affected tonight's game or not, we just need to hit them on a more consistent basis," Underwood said.
Juillerat led Whitko with 15 points while sitting most of the fourth quarter. She also finished the game with seven rebounds and one steal.
"We did a great job getting the ball down to the post to Emily Bidwell tonight. When you can consistently do that then you can open your outside game and we did that tonight," Bell said.
Bidwell led all players with 10 rebounds and also chipped in with eight points.
Niki Shepard came off the bench when Jamie Westness and Vericona Jersey got into foul trouble early. Shepherd finished with nine points, three rebounds and one steal.
Ashley Hoopingarner played a key part in the Wildcat defense with four steals. Two of the steals she took to the basket and converted into lay ups. She finished the game with six points and also pulled down a rebound.
"The nice thing about this year's team is that they have played together for awhile and there are about six of them that can and will step up to help out. They just know how to pick each other up," Bell said.
Bowers led all scorers with 18 points, 13 of which came in the second half. She also contributed on defense with three steals and four rebounds.
Westness and Jersey contributed to the Whitko cause with eight and four points, respectively.
The Wildcats are in action again Thursday when they host West Noble. Whitko's next conference game is at Tippecanoe Valley next Saturday.
Manchester hosts Lakeland Christian Tuesday and plays at conference foe Southwood Friday.
Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092