Near miss – crowning achievement.
It was a wild couple of days for the Boone Central/Newman Grove Lady Cardinals, capped by a dramatic Mid-State Conference victory over Class C2 #1 Guardian Angels C.C. Saturday at West Point.
Unfortunately, the weekend did not begin as well for BC/NG, which dropped a 45-43 heartbreaker to Class C2 Stanton (9-5) Friday at Newman Grove.
“We let one get away from us,” rued Cardinal Coach Mike Kennedy. “This was a very competitive basketball game that we should have won.”
Boone Central/Newman Grove (9-5) got off to a slow start, falling behind 14-8 after one quarter as Stanton’s Hilary Huss tallied seven points. Miranda Ketteler, who had six first-quarter points, added another seven in the second period as the Lady Cards fought back to trail by two at intermission, 21-19.
The Mustangs continued to take advantage of BC/NG fouls, miscues and misfires in the second half, however, and built a late lead by sinking eight free throws in the final stanza, four by Kenzie Brandl.
The Cardinals got close in the final minutes behind 3-point field goals by Kaity Stuhr and Jade Gottier – and seven points overall by Gottier – but came up short in several last opportunities to tie or take the lead.
Saturday was a new day – and a better one – for the Cardinals, as Boone Central/Newman Grove stunned previously unbeaten Guardian Angels C.C. 44-40.
The Lady Cards rallied for the victory by outscoring G.A.C.C. 18-11 in the final eight minutes of play. Gottier led the charge, hitting a 3-point field goal, sinking 7-of-7 free throws and scoring 12 of her game-high 22 points in that final stanza.
“Wow! What else can you say when you knock off an undefeated team, ranked #1 in the state, on their home floor,” Kennedy exclaimed. “Wow! What a great team effort – including all the coaches, players, support staff and trainers. We can take a lot of pride in this victory,” Kennedy continued. “We outrebounded a much bigger team and outscored them by seven in the final quarter to secure a win.
“I am so happy for our kids, who have kept believing in this team through the ups and downs of the season. We are practicing well, playing good basketball and deserve this amazing accomplishment!”
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