Girls basketball: Plendl, Freagon lead Macks to victory
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By The Chippewa Herald
Wednesday, January 9, 2008 2:31 AM CST
Ellen Plendl and Jess Freagon teamed up to score 46 combined points in leading the McDonell girls basketball team to a 60-52 nonconference victory over Chetek in overtime Tuesday night in Chippewa Falls.
Plendl’s 25 points marks the third consecutive game the 6-foot-5 center has scored 20 or more points. It is also the third straight contest she has established a new single-game career-high in points.
Freagon, who notched a season-high 21 points, came into the game averaging around nine points per game. Her previous single-game high was 13 against Thorp.
“It’s key to have those to contribute like that on the same night,” McDonell coach Kurt Geissler said. “Offensively we moved the ball so well and had lots of open looks the entire game.
“I am very happy with how we got to the line as much as we did. That was one of the things we wanted to work on in this one.”
The Macks got to the stripe 29 times, making just 14 attempts.
McDonell cruised in overtime, outscoring the Bulldogs 13-5. The outburst was a little surprising, considering Chetek seemed to have all the momentum entering the extra frame after nailing a game-tying 3-pointers at the buzzer.
“Right away, we just attacked the ball and created some turnovers that led to some easy baskets,” Geissler said. “They really picked it up on both ends of the floor. We got out right away (in overtime) and just kind of held on from there.”
The Macks won for the second time in three contests in what was their first nonconference victory of the season.
“We had some goals coming in, like just continuing to play hard and working together as a team,” Geissler said. “Our team defense was outstanding. That was the best effort we have had all season.”
McDonell led 24-20 at halftime, but was outscored 27-23 in the final two quarters before running away with the game in overtime.
No other player had more than Kristen LeaVesseur’s six points for the Macks (3-6).
Chetek (2-8) was led by Megan Erspamer’s 20 points.
Cornell 53, New Auburn 32
In Cornell, it was business as usual for the Chiefs.
Courtney Jensen put on another brilliant performance with 27 points and 21 rebounds and the supporting cast did their job as Cornell bullied its way to victory in an East Lakeland Conference game.
The Chiefs (5-4, 4-1 ELC) pounded the ball from the perimeter to the post and took a sizable 33-12 halftime lead.
“Obviously, (Jensen) is our go-to player,” Cornell coach Jason Onsager said. “She has been facing triple teams every game now, but has done a nice job of kicking the ball out to her open teammates.”
Cari Arneson was the benefactor of a clogged lane as she nailed three shots from beyond the arc. She finished with 11 points. Amanda Smith chipped in with nine points to go with eight rebounds.
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