Wolves hand T-Birds first loss
By Holly Neumann
The Manawa girls’ basketball team returned home Nov. 30 after picking up a 41-39 nonconference victory over Iola-Scandinavia.
Kellynn Kaczorowski scored six points in the first half of the game to give the Wolves an 18-15 halftime lead over the Thunderbirds.
The T-Birds outscored the Wolves 24-23 in the second half behind seven points from Erika Kisting.
I-S had three chances in the game’s final 16 seconds to either go ahead or tie after trailing the entire game.
A turnover with 16.7 seconds and technical foul gave I-S the opportunity to tie the game. Bryanna Kisting sank one of two free throws, but Manawa still held a 40-39 lead. The T-Birds maintained possession of the ball after the missed free throw, but turned it over. Manawa then added to its lead with another free throw in the final seconds.
Samantha Struzynski and Laynie Bessette led Manawa with 13 and 11, points respectively.
The T-Birds didn’t have any scores in double figures. Bryanna Kisting led the team with nine points, while Erika Kisting, Hannah Melum and Kaitlyn Miller chipped in with seven each.
Erika Kisting and Katie Cherek led the T-Birds with six rebounds, while Bryanna Kisting added five steals and three assists.
The T-Birds fell to 2-1 on the season, while Manawa improved to 2-1.
Iola-Scandinavia will open Central Wisconsin Conference East Division play Monday, Dec. 4, by hosting Menominee Indian at 7 p.m., while the Wolves will host Tri-County at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1.
