Athens has unblemished record

Bluejays are 4-0 this year

By Ross Pattermann

You might say the Athens Bluejays girls basketball team is off to a perfect start.

Their record certainly refl ects this after the ‘Jays moved to 4-0 with wins in their most recent games against Abbotsford and Spencer.

Their first two victories over Owen-Withee and Prentice were one-sided affairs, the ‘Jays had to work for their last two victories, overcoming a scrappy Abbotsford squad on Tuesday, Nov. 23, and Spencer on Monday.

After enjoying a brief stop at home, the ‘Jays were on the road for their last two games. Athens went down to Abbotsford to play the Falcons, and they knew it was going to be a hard fought game.

The Falcons had pushed Athens to the brink in their last two meetings, and now were more experienced and looking to snap their losing streak.

It was a nervy, back and forth game through the first half, with neither team able to pull away from the other, and the game was knotted at 26-26 after one half.

After that first half though, the ‘Jays knew what they needed to do in order to come away with the victory.

“When we were in the locker room, we instantly said rebounds have to change,” sophomore Sofia Coker said afterwards. “Rebounds did change, and that made a huge difference. Once our rebounds changed, our defense really came together, and defense played off of offense.”

The ‘Jays opened the second half o a 13-2 run, splashing several triples, and then using their size inside for put-backs and to draw fouls.

Athens also got several big blocks, or forced turnovers, and the ‘Jays were quick to capitalize on these.

“Turnovers were big, especially when we can do a quick transition. Those two points make a big difference to us and gets us fired up.”

Athens held the Falcons to just 14 points in the second half, and scored 27 to pick up 53-40 victory over their Marawood - North rivals.

“A game like this gives us a lot of confidence. We really need this.”

Jazelle Hartwig, Sofia Coker and Adddison Lavicka powered Athens’ offense, all scoring in double digits with 15, 12 and 10 points. Coker had a double-double with ten rebounds.

The ‘Jays were back on the road on Monday, taking on the Spencer Rockets in a non-conference match that featured one of the premier players in the Cloverbelt in Heavyn Kind.

Kind was as good as advertised, dropping 18 points on Athens to lead all players, and her teammate Rebecca Misner chipped in with 10 points.

Defense dominated in that first half, and neither team could crack 20 points, with the ‘Jays up by two at 1917 at halftime.

Kind kept the Rockets hopes for a win alive, but the ‘Jays have a more well-rounded team that features multiple scoring options.

Addison Lavicka scored a team high 15 points against Spencer, followed by Elizabeth Van Rixel with nine points and Celina Ellenbecker with eight.

The ‘Jays outscored Spencer 25-21 to earn a single digit, 44-38 victory. The win gives the ‘Jays a boost as they enter the heart of their schedule. The Athens girls basketball preview story and team photo will appear in next week’s newspaper.

SHOWING THE RANGE- Addison Lavicka pulls up for two against the Falcons on Tuesday, Nov. 23. Lavicka’s offense has sparked Athens to a 4-0 start, scoring 10 points against Abby and 15 against Spencer. STAFF PHOTO/ROSS PATTERMANN

DRIBBLING ON THE PERIMETER- Jazelle Hartwig looks for an open teammate against Abbotsford. Becky Van Rixel, mother of Athens player Elizabeth Van Rixel, is shown in the background doing the book at the scorer’s table.STAFF PHOTO/ROSS PATTERMANN