Lady Elks win first game in 2 years
By Chris Bennett
Sports Correspondent
One word sums up the Elkhorn Area High School girls basketball team’s 43-36 Southern Lakes Conference victory Jan. 27 at home against Westosha Central.
Finally.
The Elks went almost two years between victories before topping the Falcons. The program has been in a bottom-up rebuild under second-year head coach Todd Frohwirth, and the effort now seems poised to start paying dividends.
“It was very emotional and very special,” Frohwirth said of the landmark victory. “A lot of girls are back from last year’s team. We have been working hard, staying positive and fighting for our first win as a group.”
Elkhorn went winless last season (0-23). Prior to their most recent triumph, the Elks last won a girls basketball game on Feb. 24, 2015, when Elkhorn beat Westosha Central 53-49 in a WIAA Division 1 regional semifinal game at Paddock Lake.
The Elks finished strong in their most recent game against the Falcons. Elkhorn trailed 16-14 at halftime, and outscored the Falcons 29-20 in the second half.
The Elks hit 11 of 16 free throws in the contest. Ryley Rand converted four of seven and Haley Remington went two of two late in regulation.
“It was really nice to finish out a game and close out an opponent,” Frohwirth said. “That’s just the way you want to do it, with our confidence as a group showing from the free throw line.”
Rand led the Elks (1-13, 1-7 SLC) with 13 points. Chloe Erhardt added 10 and Remington scored eight.
Lindsey Kimpler led Central (4-13, 2-7 SLC) with 12 points.
The Elks played tighter games and with more confidence in recent weeks, and a win seemed inevitable.
The Elks posted a season-high in points, but lost 69-56 to Badger Jan. 13 at home in a SLC game.
“The ball finally went in the basket,” Frohwirth said. “We get good shots – most games, we just haven’t made them.”
The Elks led 30-28 at halftime before being outscored 41-26 in the second half.
Elkhorn led Delavan-Darien at halftime and missed multiple shots as time expired in a 54-42 loss to the Comets Jan. 10 in a SLC game at home against Delavan-Darien.
The Elks led the Comets 31-26 at halftime. The Elks led Waukesha North 37-33 Dec. 29 at Fort Atkinson in the Fort Holiday Tournament. The Elks eventually lost 37-33.
Before the game against North, the last time Elkhorn held a halftime lead was Feb. 12, 2016 at home in a SLC game against Westosha Central – the Elks led 24-22 at the break, but lost 47-45.
The Elks played Tuesday at Wilmot (12-4, 9-1 SLC) in a SLC game, and play a non-conference game Saturday at Jefferson (5-10).
