The Alexandria girls basketball team knocked down seven three-pointers on its way to a 40-22 lead at halftime over Section 8AAA opponent Albany at home on Tuesday.
But the hot shooting slowed for the Cardinals in the second half as the Huskies clawed back to within five points with less than three minutes remaining. The Cardinals shut down any chances of an exciting finish in the final minutes, outscoring Albany 9-1 on their way to a 66-53 victory.
Head coach Wendy Kohler said the Cardinals did not turn the ball over once in the last four minutes of the game and executed well enough to pick up the win.
“I think the key part of the game, too, was we hit enough key baskets and answered some of their runs,” Wendy Kohler said. “We hit them inside and we hit our free throws.”
Three Cardinals shooters ended up with double digit scoring numbers. Brooke Heggie led the Cardinals with 20 points, followed by Kendall Kohler with 15 and Macy Hatlestad with 13.
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Heggie said the Cardinals had been working on their shooting in practice, and the work paid off on Tuesday.
“The first half they didn’t know what we could do offensively and how good our shooters were,” Heggie said. “Once they got a feel for it in the second half they knew what we could do.”
Albany also had three players finish with double digit points. Emily Schoenberg finished with 16 points, followed by Sidney Schiffler with 13 and Erin Navratil with 11.
Kendall Kohler said the win felt good because she and Hatlestad have become close friends with Navratil while playing basketball.
“It felt really great,” Kendall Kohler said. “We kind of needed that win under our belt. After losing to DL at the beginning, we kind of have this edge in our mind that we want to keep going and pursuing.”
Wendy Kohler said Hatlestad and Kendall Kohler both did a good job slowing Albany forward Navratil and guard Schiffler. She also was not surprised with the strong shooting by the Cardinals.
She expects the young Alexandria lineup to continue growing into their roles as the season continues.
“We’re a good shooting team,” Wendy Kohler said. said. “We’re still learning. Kids are still getting used to their roles and where they are at.”
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The win improved Alexandria to 5-1 this season and dropped Albany to 4-2.
GAME RESULTS
ALBANY – 22 31 – 53
ALEXANDRIA – 40 26 – 66
ALEXANDRIA SCORING – Kelby Olson-Rodel – 7 points; Brooke Heggie – 20 points; Kendall Kohler – 15 points; Cheyenne Hendrickson – 8 points; Macy Hatlestad – 13 points; Gretchen Revering – 3 points
ALBANY SCORING – Emily Johnson – 4 points; Erin Navratil – 11 points; Abby Silvers – 4 points; Sidney Schiffler – 14 points; Emily Schoenberg – 16 points; Rilei Larsen – 2 points; Madison Schmitz – 2 points
