The Manawa girls’ basketball team concluded the 2013 portion of its schedule by dropping two games in the Almond-Bancroft Holiday Invitational Friday, Dec. 27 and Saturday, Dec. 28.
The team opened the tournament by dropping a 36-23 verdict to Three Lakes. The next day Wisconsin Valley Lutheran came from behind to defeat the Wolves 34-29.
Turnovers and poor shooting were the downfall of the Wolves against the Blue Jays. Manawa was a frigid 9 for 42 from the field and turned the ball over 28 times. Against WVL Manawa managed 11 field goals on 51 attempts and turned the ball over 23 times, including four key turnovers leading to WVL’s 8-0 run during the fourth quarter.
Three Lakes 36, Manawa 23
Alissa Suehs opened the game with a basket giving the Lady Wolves their only lead of the first quarter as the Blue Jays press took its toll. Manawa turned the ball over nine times during the first quarter. The Blue Jays reeled off the nest seven points and held a 7-2 lead.
The Lady Wolves slowly worked their way back into the game as their press forced them into 12 second quarter turnovers. Ashlee Strebe’s basket with 4:42 left in the first half gave Manawa a 10-9 lead. Converting two turnovers into points the Lady Blue Jays reeled of the final eight points of the half and held a 17-10 lead at halftime. Payton Radaj tallied four of her team’s eight points.
Brogan Bartel twice pulled Manawa to within five points, the final time occurred at the 1:25 juncture. Erika Running converted a three point play and expanded the Blue Jays lead back to eight points at 26-18
Eight turnovers made it difficult to mount any type of comeback as twice Manawa managed to get within seven points. They also managed only one field goal during the final quarter. Brianna Sanderfoot drained a trey at the 4:12 juncture and the Bluejays opened up a 12-point lead at 33-21.
Bartel led all scorers with 16 points and also hauled down 14 rebounds.
Fox Valley Lutheran 34, Manawa 29
Forcing nine first quarter turnovers the Wolves held a 7-2 lead after one quarter of play. Mixing a person-to-person defense and a full court press the Wolves allowed only a single field goal.
Strebe’s basket with 16 seconds left in the half put Manawa on top at 13-10 at halftime.
Ali Krugler’s three and Kristen Danners basket gave WVL their first lead of the game at 19-18 with 1:47 left in the third quarter. That lead was short lived as Suehs regained the lead for Manawa at 20-19.
An 8-2 run to opened the final quarter sparked by Danner’s three forced Manawa into a timeout to regroup, with the FVL leading 30-22. Manawa could pull no closer than five points despite forcing WVL into three turnovers and missing two bonus free throws.
Bartel took game honors with 15 points and six rebounds.
The Wolves hosts Wild Rose, Friday, Jan. 3.