Warriors, Scherf put on season-best performance in win over MFL MarMac
Ashlyn Scherf had a double-double with 27 points and 10 rebounds in Central’s win at MFL MarMac. (Photos by Bev Hamann)
Brylee Erickson scored six points versus the Bulldogs.
Gracie Cummer shoots a free throw against MFL MarMac. She finished the game with four points and five rebounds.
By Willis Patenaude, Times-Register
The Central girls returned to the basketball court Jan. 5, for a road rematch against conference-leading MFL MarMac, and put on their best offensive performance of the season. The Warriors shot 50 percent from the field and Ashlyn Scherf turned in a double-double with 27 points and 10 rebounds in a 60-52 victory.
The win, however, did not come easy, as the Warriors found themselves battling on defense the entire game. They were down 10-9 at the end of the first quarter, but from that point on, their zone defense made some adjustments and was effective in limiting the Bulldogs to 35 percent shooting from the field and forcing 16 turnovers, including steals.
Central secured a 30-24 lead at halftime, and continued to inch away in the third quarter, extending the lead to nine points. While the Bulldogs put up 17 in the fourth quarter, the Warriors scored 16 of their own, giving them a win and evening the season series at one win apiece.
One key to victory was ball movement, and the other was getting Scherf going this time around, as opposed to game one, in which the Bulldogs successfully took Scherf out of the game and minimized her impact.
This time around, Central was more effective at getting Scherf the ball on the move and headed to the rim, allowing for more efficient scoring opportunities. The Warrior offense was also aided by the play off the bench, which added 16 points, compared to just four for the Bulldogs.
The other factor that helped decide the game was free throws, as the Warriors made almost as many free throws (19) as the Bulldogs shot (21). Central also shot 35.7 percent on three-point shots, compared to just 26.1 percent for the Bulldogs.
Scherf’s game-high 27 points and 10 rebounds also included two assists and two steals. Grace Kuehl put up 10 points, four rebounds, three steals and two assists, and Brylee Erickson scored six points along with three rebounds and one assist. Brooklyn Amsden added five points, three rebounds and two assists, while Gracie Cummer finished with four points, five rebounds and two assists.
As Central continues in the second half of the season, coach Mark Wiley has the team focusing on a “one game at a time mentality.” The Warriors have rematches versus two Upper Iowa Conference opponents, starting at home with South Winneshiek on Jan. 9. The Warriors previously defeated South Winn, and by all accounts have improved since that meeting in early December.
The second game is also at home, versus Kee, on Jan. 12. The Warriors lost the previous match-up and did not play well on either end of the court, but Wiley is looking to “avenge that loss from earlier in this season.”
