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Big Foot girls basketball secures season opening win against Clinton

S.Brown3 months ago

With three players in double figures and a strong night on the defensive end, the 2023-2024 Big Foot girls basketball season couldn't have started any better, defeating Clinton 49-37 Tuesday, Nov. 21.

Big Foot moves to 1-0 overall and 1-0 in the Rock Conference.

“I’m really proud of how far we’ve come,” Big Foot head girls basketball coach Nicole Berning said. “This was our first game of the season and they were nervous, but they all did a great job. Everybody on this team is the reason we won.”

Big Foot opened the game on a 5-0 run with a bucket down low in the paint from senior center Addie Larson and a pair of free throws from the freshman revelation that was Leah Paulsen.

Following a bucket from the Clinton offense, junior power forward Natalie Klamm found a bucket down low off an assist from sophomore guard Mya Gonzalez before Larson, who was a dominant presence in the paint all game, got her second basket to go before Clinton was forced to call a timeout.

Clinton came out of the timeout with two consecutive baskets to briefly cut Big Foot’s lead, but the Chiefs continued to find success down low in the post with a pair of baskets from Larson, sophomore power forward Ava Schoonover and a couple free throws from senior small forward Lizzie Lueck to stretch their lead to 15-6.

However, the final six minutes of the first half belonged to the Cougars, closing out the half on a 10-4 run with Big Foot maintaining a three-point 19-16 advantage heading into halftime.

Clinton sophomore point guard Lylah Peters scored the first five points of the second half, including an and-one to take their first lead of the game up 20-19.

The Cougars began to stretch their lead to 24-21 with points from senior guard Ava Mueller and sophomore forward Abby Brandl.

Larson cut the Cougar lead to one with another basket down low in the post, but her next play was even better.

Continuing to back down defenders in the lane, Larson, while being double teamed, kicked it out to a wide open Lueck in the corner for three to retake a 26-24 lead.

After the Cougars quickly tied things back up at 26-26, Paulsen took over. She converted on both her free-throws after being fouled in the lane. On their very next offensive possession, Paulsen sprinted down the court and converted on a layup while being fouled in the act of shooting to force the and-one attempt and ultimately convert the three-point play.

Clinton senior guard Mallory Shinkus made one of her two free throws on the other end to cut the lead down 30-27, but Lueck remained red hot from three-point range, connecting on another corner three make with around eight minutes left in the game.

Lueck put the Chiefs up 11 with her third three-pointer of the game, this time from the top of the key with just under seven minutes to go.

The final seven minutes of the opening Rock Conference matchup was pretty even with both teams each scoring 10 points to close the game out.

But sensational play from the seniors in Larson and Lueck down the stretch, plus a big night from Paulsen in her first game as a varsity player, helped pave the way for the Chiefs to earn their first win on the season.

“I’m so proud of the senior leadership (Larson and Lueck), they were the glue tonight and kept everybody connected,” Berning said. “They were the ones who got us a score when we needed to score and got us a stop when we needed a stop. And Leah is one of the all of them who came in all summer to work on their shot because that’s what they needed to do and this game was pay off for it.”

Paulsen led the team with 13 points. Lueck and Larson each had 11 points apiece. Schoonover, Gonzalez and junior power forward Molly Andersen each had four points, while Klamm added two points.

Big Foot will back on their home court against Catholic Central Tuesday, Nov. 28.

Other scores from the week

Monday, Nov. 20

Albany/Monticello 72, Williams Bay 19 (0-2).

“Albany/Monticello is a very good basketball team. They are athletic, aggressive, and high IQ basketball players and they have proven that the last few years,” Williams Bay head girls basketball coach Clayton Morrison said. “We didn’t play our best and we allowed them to speed us up, and make us feel uncomfortable which led to many turnovers. This game showed us that we have a lot to improve upon, but if my brief time with these girls has taught me anything. I know that they are up for the challenge.”

Tuesday, Nov. 21

Badger (1-0) 62, Racine Case 41.

Junior Molly Deering led her team with 21 points. Juniors Ashlin Nottestad and Payton Hayes both finished with nine. Seniors Vanessa Cruz, Makayla Hayes and Lilly Villarreal each had four points along with junior Delaney Deering.

Junior Kaela Zapadinsky had three points, senior Nat Porras and sophomore Lily Butinas each finished with two points.

Richmond-Burton 52, Williams Bay 41 (0-1).

Eight photos from the Big Foot girls basketball game against Clinton