Girls basketball team’s winning streak extends to 13
By Kevin Cunningham
Correspondent
The Whippets girls basketball team continued winning by outscoring their opponents by a combined score of 131-59, extending its streak to 13.
The Whippets’ two recent wins come in a season when the team is ranked first in Division 3 girls basketball.
The Whippets hosted Palmyra-Eagle on Jan. 19 and it didn’t take long for the top-ranked team to display its dominance. Whitewater led 43-10 at halftime.
Whitewater won the game 65-28.
“Whitewater girls were on fire Thursday night scoring 43 points in the first half to lead 43-10 over Palmyra,” Whippet head coach Judy Harms said. “Prior to the game, Rebekah Schumacher was recognized for scoring over 1,000 points in her career at Whitewater High School.”
Three different Whippets scored at least 10 points in the game, led by senior forward Myriama Smith-Traore’s 20. Whitewater’s defense held the Panthers to just 10 made field goals throughout the game.
After the 37-point win, the team then hit the road to face Beloit Turner on Jan. 24 and came away with a 35-point victory. Whitewater held a 35-16 halftime lead this time around, resulting in the eventual 66-31 final score.
Once again, three Whippets scored at least 10 points and Smith-Traore led with 13. Exactly like in the game against Palmyra-Eagle, Whitewater’s defense was stout, holding Beloit Turner to 10 made field goals.
Since losing the season-opening game by six points and winning its fourth game by 15, every win over the team’s 13-game streak has been by at least 20 points. The last three games have had at least 31-point differentials.
Up next for Whitewater is a 7:15 p.m. game on Friday against McFarland at Whitewater High School. McFarland is currently 12-4 overall and 9-1 in Rock Valley Conference play.
Whitewater is atop the conference standings with a 10-0 record, followed by McFarland. McFarland’s lone conference loss came in the third game of the season, when Whitewater won on the road, 67-46.
Friday’s game will be the annual Youth Night and the “Red Out” game, a partnership with the American Heart Association. T-shirts can be purchased for $10, socks for $20 or both for $25. All proceeds will be donated to the American Heart Association.
Items may be purchased from any member of the Whippet girls’ basketball program or by contacting Harms at Washington Elementary School or at jharms@wwusd.org.
