The Wisner-Pilger Boys are 3-1 in their last three games, beating Howells-Dodge 54-50 in an East Husker Conference Tournament Consolation Game at Howells-Dodge last Friday night, downing BRLD 53-48 at home Tuesday night, and falling 67-58 at Laurel-Concord-Coleridge Thursday night, before beating Clarkson/Leigh 50-43 at home Friday night.
The Gators jumped out to a 20-14 lead at the end of one. The Jaguars then tripled up Wisner-Pilger 15-5 in the second quarter to take a 29-25 lead into the locker room.
The Gators won the third quarter 10-9 to make it a 38-35 game at the end of three in favor of Howells-Dodge.
Wisner-Pilger outscored the Jaguars 19-12 in the fourth quarter.
BRLD led 12-11 at the end of one before the Gators outscored them 11-6 in the second quarter to take a 22-18 lead into the locker room.
The Wolverines got back into the game in the third quarter, putting up 16 points compared to 13 for Wisner-Pilger to make it a 35-34 game at the end of three.
It was to no avail though as the Gators won the fourth quarter 18-14 to make up the final score.
Wisner-Pilger was led by Hunter Waterman, who had a team-high 15 points. Jayden Raabe added 13 while Gunner Labenz and Keegan Ruskamp notched 12 and 8, respectively.
Head Coach Duane Mendlik. "Usually our third quarter is our downfall. We've been bad on our third quarter. And we at least got into double figures. And the fourth quarter free throws is important. There was a couple of kids that we probably should of taken out of the game because they weren't great free throw shooters, but we went with them, and made it through. But we've got to make the free throws down the stretch, and for the most part the ones that are stepping up there did a pretty good job."
Mendlik analyzes the game. "Some of the defensive things that we wanted to get done, they wanted to pound the ball inside and pass it a couple times, and they got some of that done. And our guards up front were supposed to take some of that away, and late in the game we probably not necessarily got lazy, but we got to the point where we're watching the game instead of playing the game, and they hurt us a little bit. But other than I thought we did a pretty good job. Free throws we didn't shoot as well as I'd like yet, but I thought it was a pretty complete game."
The Bears led 18-11 after one, and won the second quarter 18-14 to take a 36-25 lead into the locker room.
Wisner-Pilger outscored Laurel-Concord-Coleridge 18-15 in the third quarter to make it a 51-43 game at the end of three.
The Bears won the fourth quarter 16-15.
The Gators doubled up the Patriots 16-8 in the first quarter. Clarkson/Leigh won the second quarter 10-9 to make it a 25-18 game at halftime.
Wisner-Pilger outscored the Patriots 21-8 in the third quarter to lead 46-26 at the end of three.
Clarkson/Leigh notched 17 points in the fourth quarter and limited the Gators to 4.
I think Wisner-Pilger has really come on lately. The Gators are playing great basketball at the moment, in my opinion.
Wisner-Pilger (10-12) hosts Madison (7-13) in the regular season finale Friday night.
The Dragons, who have lost four in a row, fell 53-38 at home to David City Thursday night.
I think the Gators are catching Madison at a really good time.
This game might look pretty even from a record standpoint, but I think Wisner-Pilger has a good chance to win this one pretty big.
The Gators have saved their best for last, and are playing good basketball at the moment.
I think Wisner-Pilger has what it takes to make a postseason run, and a win over the Dragons would only boost their confidence heading into Sub-Districts.
This is also the final time these seniors will ever play on their home floor.
There aren't many seniors on this year's team, but it's always nice to win that final game at home no doubt.
The Gators have to keep the mojo going, and continue to play well.
Wisner-Pilger is coming on at the right time, and I'm interested to see what the Gators can do Friday night.
Wisner-Pilger has to work on finishing games a little bit given how the Clarkson/Leigh game unfolded, but that's the only criticism I have of the Gators at the moment.
Things are coming together at the right time for Wisner-Pilger, and I'm excited to see what this team can do the next couple of weeks.
The Gators have certainly come on at the right time, and it has to be an exciting time for everyone involved.
We'll see if Wisner-Pilger can keep the magic going Friday night. I fully expect the Gators to play well and turn in a solid performance.
A win would just add to this team's resume and make them a stronger team for the postseason. I don't think a loss would really affect the team one way or another.
The Wisner-Pilger Girls are 3-0 in their last three games, defeating BRLD 60-41 at home Tuesday night, Laurel-Concord-Coleridge 57-44 on the road Thursday night, and Clarkson/Leigh 37-32 at home Friday night.
Wisner-Pilger led the Wolverines 16-12 at the end of one before doubling them up 8-4 in the second quarter to take a 24-16 lead into the locker room.
The Gators won the third quarter 18-14 to go up 42-30 at the end of three.
Wisner-Pilger outscored BRLD 18-11 in the fourth quarter to make up the final score.
The Gators were led by Jordan Wegner, who posted a game-high 17 points. Maci Batenhorst and Alexis Heller added 15 apiece for Wisner-Pilger while Ariel Meyer notched 7.
Head Coach Karrie Bodwell on Wegner, who was their S and W Welding Player of the Game. "I'm so excited. Everyone did their job, everyone played their role. And Jordan has really had a couple slump games where she's only scored 2 points in the last two games. And I know I've talked about her before that she's kind of the key element in the middle. Maci has been very steady for us so Jordan to come back and score 17 points was a great turnaround for her."
Wisner-Pilger has really come on as of late.
The Gators (9-13) square off with Battle Creek (10-12) in the C2-7 Sub-District Play-In Game at Norfolk Catholic Monday night.
The Braves lost 48-33 at home to Hartington Cedar Catholic Thursday night.
Battle Creek knocked off the Gators 53-46 in the Shootout on the Elkhorn on December 29th.
This should be another good game. I think Wisner-Pilger can definitely win this time around given how they've played lately, but it won't be easy.
The Gators have to play hard, play smart, outhustle, and outwork the Braves, and must be the team to get after the loose balls.
Wisner-Pilger has to go all out and give it their all for four quarters.
The winner gets Stanton, and the Mustangs have been upset prone lately so the Gators definitely have to be believing that they can make a run and at the very least get to a Sub-District Final.
Wisner-Pilger played Howells-Dodge tough in the regular season, and nearly came back to beat them, so the Gators have to figure they have the potential to knock off the Jaguars should they face them in the Sub-District Final.
Most people are probably banking on a Stanton/Howells-Dodge Sub-District Final, but I feel any of the five teams in this Sub-District are capable of making a run.
The thing Wisner-Pilger no doubt wants is a shot at Stanton. I'm sure it would be nice for the Gators to at least have the opportunity to play the Mustangs.
That's all Wisner-Pilger should be hoping and preparing for at this point.
Monday's game is scheduled to tip-off at 7:00 p.m.
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