It was a chance for Weyauwega-Fremont to see how it stacked up against one of the state’s elite basketball programs.
It was also an opportunity for Algoma to add to its winning streak.
The Wolves showed why they’re the second-ranked Division 4 team in this week’s Associated Press state poll by handing W-F a 74-30 defeat Thursday, Dec. 30, in the championship game of the second annual Weyauwega-Fremont Holiday Girls’ Basketball Tournament.
The Indians opened the tournament Wednesday, Dec. 29, with a 60-54 win over Mosinee.
Algoma 74, W-F 30
Algoma held W-F to one field goal in the first half while forcing 21 turnovers.
“They’re a really good team,” coach Tim Cullen said. “That’s great basketball and they’re playing at a really high level right now. They did some good things and we didn’t perform up to our level of play. Their on-ball defense was tremendous. They were forcing us to go outside. Instead of driving when we dribbled, we were real timid and forcing turnovers. They did a great job of finishing. It’s pretty evident they’re in the weight room a lot.
“They’re ranked second in the state for a reason,” he added. “They got a nice win over DePere, a D1 team with a great program. We had an opportunity to learn a lot of things about great basketball. Our choice is to take this experience and get better. That’s what we plan on doing.”
The Wolves led 18-4 after the first quarter, 32-6 at halftime and 56-14 after three quarters.
W-F came up with more than half of its points in the fourth quarter, but were still outscored 18-16.
“I haven’t seen that good of a team since the Amherst team that went to state and won,” Cullen said. “I didn’t tell them to put it behind them. I told them there’s good basketball over there. They’re doing great things that we’ve been trying to work on. Now they’ve seen it first-hand. Hopefully, we can take that and grow from it.”
Danielle Johnson was the only W-F player to finish in double figures with 10 points, but six of them came in the game’s final two minutes.
Taylor Schmidt led the Wolves with 22 points.
W-F 60, Mosinee 54
The Indians hung on for the win over Mosinee despite not making a basket in the fourth quarter.
W-F led 21-11 after one quarter, 36-28 at halftime and 53-43 after three quarters.
Mosinee cut the lead to five points three times in the final 1 1/2 minutes, but couldn’t get any closer.
Johnson led the Indians with 13 points, while Mariah Hulbert and Macey Schoenick chipped in with 11 and nine, respectively.
The Indians will travel to Shiocton Friday, Jan. 7, for a 7:30 p.m. Central Wisconsin 8 Conference matchup with the Chiefs. Also on the upcoming schedule are games at Manawa Tuesday, Jan. 11, and at home against Amherst Friday, Jan. 14.