By Kevin Cunningham
Sports Correspondent
The 9-1 Whitewater Whippets’ girls basketball team had two games this past week, and in its first, survived a thriller against Brodhead on the road. Entering the game, Brodhead was Wisconsin’s No. 5-ranked team, while the Whippets were No. 1.
The Whippets were held to 57 points, which is the third time this season the team hasn’t scored at least 62 points in a game. The Whippets’ defense, which helped keep its one-loss record intact, held Brodhead to 56 points, giving them the one-point win.
“Brodhead played a tough game, giving us quite the challenge,” Whippets head coach Judy Harms said. “I’m really proud of the girls rallying from behind to pull out a win. Our girls kept their composure down the wire, and that’s a tribute to our leadership and outstanding teamwork displayed when we needed it the most.
“Shooting 70 percent from the charity stripe was key. It was a fun environment to play in (…).”
Two Brodhead players scored 21 points apiece, with only one other scorer totaling over two points. For Whitewater, Rebekah Schumacher scored 15 points, recorded four rebounds and dished out five assists.
Myriama Smith-Traore posted another double-double in this game, scoring 14 points to go along with her game-high 15 rebounds. Smith-Traore also had four assists, and was one blocked shot away from posting a triple-double, with nine.
Ali Ketterhagen had the second-highest rebounding total in the game, with 12, to go along with her six points. Brodhead made nine 3-pointers compared to the Whippets’ two, but the Whippets attempted 27 free throws compared to Brodhead’s 12.
The Whippets’ defense also proved to be dominant, holding Brodhead to only 8-of-40 from shots within the 3-point arc. Whitewater moved to 10-1 with the win, and hosted Clinton five days later.
After the one-point victory over a top-ranked team, a let-down could only be seen as natural. The Whippets had no hangover effect after the emotional win, and bested Clinton, 63-44.
Whitewater got the best of Clinton early on, as the Whippets took a 34-17 lead into halftime. The defending state champions then coasted to a 63-44 victory.
It was Schumacher’s show against Clinton, and she made every spectator notice. The junior guard scored 30 to lead all scorers, and made three 3-pointers to go along with her eight field goals from two-point range.
Smith-Traore was the only other scorer to get double-digits, scoring 14. Harms said the team will look to pick up the tempo, but also that they need to get more scoring from other players to provide balance.
The Whippets’ next game has a tip-time at 7:15 p.m. on Friday at home against East Troy. East Troy enters with a 7-6 record and is coming off a 48-46 victory over Beloit Turner.
“Friday is ‘Light The Night’ at our home game,” Harms said. “Whitewater youth wearing neon bright colors will be admitted free. Alumni are encouraged to attend and be recognized as a group during our half-time entertainment.”
