By Chris Bennett
Correspondent
The Elkhorn Area High School girls basketball team claimed a signature win Nov. 25 against Southern Lakes Conference foe and arch rival Delavan-Darien.
Elkhorn beat the Comets 63-42 at Delavan-Darien and got the team’s first victory of the season.
“I think it’s big,” Elks coach Jim Henriott said. “You’re always looking for the first win. You don’t want a zero on that left-hand side (of the won-loss column) for the year.”
Henriott said he hopes the victory inspires the Elks to continue working hard in practice.
“It’s important to get that first win of the year,” Henriott said. “It gives you confidence.”
Elkhorn (1-2, 0-1 SLC) executed well in several facets of the game against Delavan-Darien (1-2, 0-1 SLC). The Elks rebounded well, shot well and limited turnovers.
Elkhorn also displayed fortitude, and dug itself from a hole after falling into a 14-2 deficit to begin the game.
“They were doing a good job of, at that point in time, getting the ball inside and going to the basket,” Henriott said. “We just had a hard time trying to stop them.”
The Comets outscored the Elks 14-7 in the first quarter. Elkhorn outscored Delavan-Darien 18-8 in the second quarter and led 25-22 at halftime.
Elkhorn turned the game into a rout in the second half. The Elks outscored the Comets 38-20 in the second half, including 21-5 in the fourth quarter.
Elkhorn’s Abbi Kolacke led all scorers with 24 points. Megan Skoczylas, Olivia Krueger and Victoria Brossard each added eight.
Henriott said Kolacke, Brossard and Krueger each finished in double figures in rebounding. Elkhorn also finished 25 for 35 from the foul line, which Henriott said made the difference in the game.
“We were fortunate that we were able to get the ball inside a little bit,” Henriott said. “The three (Kolacke, Brossard and Krueger) were able to get a lot of rebounds and putbacks.”
The Elks weathered Delavan-Darien’s fast start and outlasted the Comets for the win.
“We wore them down,” Henriott said. “I think they got tired. We kept trying to substitute kids in and out, and I think it just wore them down.”
The Elks played SLC opponent Westosha Central (2-1, 0-1 SLC) Tuesday at home. Elkhorn plays Burlington Friday in a SLC game at home.
