Scheithauer’s big game not quite enough in 48-41 loss to Bucs

RIB LAKE GIRLS BASKETBALL

Working through a stretch of games against some tough competition, the Rib Lake girls basketball team finally got into a tight contest on Monday and did a lot of good things before ultimately falling 48-41 at home to Marawood North rival Prentice.

The Lady Redmen took the lead late in the first half and carried it well into the second half before the Buccaneers finally caught them with about 10 minutes to play. With the game tied 28-28, Prentice’s extended halfcourt 1-2-2 defense got Rib Lake out of its offensive rhythm and forced just enough turnovers to create some easy offense and Prentice’s sophomore standout Kali Heikkinen took over in the paint, scoring 12 of her 20 points in the second half to lead Prentice to the victory.

The Buccaneers improved to 2-6 in Marawood Conference play and 4-8 overall. Rib Lake slid to 1-7, 2-9 with its eighth straight defeat.

The offensive success Rib Lake did have for the first 26 or so minutes was encouraging for head coach Joe Treffinger.

“I was proud of them. That was the first time this year I saw that kind of rhythm out of the offense,” he said. “I wanted them to work for layups. A lot of times we’ve been settling for that quick shot. They worked the ball around really well and were patient.”

Rib Lake got a career-high 21 points from junior Josie Scheithauer, who made eight of 18 shots from the field and added six rebounds.

“Josie killed it,” Treffinger said. “She’s such a hard-working girl and so selfless. It makes you happy, makes you proud.”

Senior Kamryn Annala added nine points on a trio of 3-pointers and had four rebounds. Her first triple put Rib Lake on top 3-2 in the opening moments. Prentice went up by five, but Rib Lake clawed back and took the lead when Scheithauer’s close shot rolled around the rim and dropped in to make it 15-13 with 8:35 left in the half. She scored again off a Tahlia Scheithauer assist and then Annala dropped in her second triple as she was left alone by Prentice’s 2-3 zone on the left wing to open up a 20-13 lead with 3:20 left in the half.

Sticking with its man-to-man defense, Rib Lake held Prentice without a field goal for nine and a half minutes until Heikkinen scored with 27 seconds left in the half, pulling the Bucs within 20-17.

Josie Scheithauer scored twice to give Rib Lake a 24-19 lead early in the second half, but Prentice went on a 7-0 run to grab a brief 26-24 lead. Annala answered with a 3-point shot from the right side to put Rib Lake back on top 27-26. Avery Niemi’s free throw with 10:27 left tied it at 28. But a minute later, Heikkinen had scored twice and then Leila Heikkinen hit a 15-foot jumper at the 7:30 mark and Kali Heikkinen scored again 17 seconds later to open up a 36-28 lead for the visitors.

Josie Scheithauer chased down a loose ball in the front court and turned it into a three-point play to make it 36-31 with 6:04 to play. Niemi’s deflection led to a Scheithauer drive to the hoop that made it 37-33 with 5:20 left, but Carissa Harding put back a missed free throw and Kali Heikkinen scored off a steal to push the lead back to eight at 41-33 and the Redmen never really recovered.

Madilyn Blomberg scored four points and had seven rebounds and two assists in her first varsity start. Niemi scored three points and had 10 rebounds, two assists, two steals and four defensive deflections. Treffinger noted Niemi won the team’s hustle award for the second straight game.

“For a freshman she’s had to fill a big role this year,” he said.

Addison Gumz had two points, two rebounds, two assists and three steals. Emma Tlusty hit two late free throws and had two rebounds.

Harding hit double figures with 10 points for Prentice.

Rib Lake starts the second round through the Marawood North tonight, Thursday, by hosting the division’s coleader Phillips (6-1, 9-1) at 7:15 p.m. The Redmen are scheduled to host winless Chequamegon Tuesday.

Royals 66, Rib Lake 29

In a Marawood Conference crossover Friday, Wisconsin Rapids Assumption improved to 10-1 overall by rolling to 6629 win over the host Lady Redmen.

The Royals’ defensive pressure caused 46 turnovers and Assumption scored 43 points off those miscues, which obviously was the biggest statistical factor in the win.

Assumption forced 28 of those turnovers in the first half while building a 41-15 lead.

Rib Lake held its own on the boards, forging an even 33-33 tie in rebounding and the Redmen shot relatively well, making 12 of 31 shots (38.7%) from the field, including two of five 3s. They just didn’t get nearly enough shots off with the turnovers.

Josie Scheithauer had eight points and two rebounds for Rib Lake. Madison Grzanna and Niemi scored six points each. Niemi had four rebounds. Grzanna had two. Tahlia Scheithauer chipped in with four points, five rebounds and three assists. Jennifer Pichea and Blomberg each had a basket. Pichea had four rebounds. Blomberg had two boards and two assists. Annala had a point, six rebounds and two steals.

Sarah Shaw led the Royals with 21 points and 12 steals.