Abby ready for playoffs
The Falcons ensured they will end the regular season with a winning record after they took care of business against Marawood - North rival Rib Lake (5-15; 3-11 MNC) at home on Tuesday, Feb. 8.
The Falcons controlled all aspects of the game last week. Sydney Falteisek and Alea Graff set the tone of the game for the Falcons, scoring nine and six points in the first half to lead Abby into the locker room with a 22-12 advantage.
Sommer Brodhagen sunk four buckets, and Briseida Escalera connected from all parts of the floor as Abby scored 26 points in the final frame and picked up its twelfth victory thanks to a 48-31 win.
Falteisek led all players with 18 points and corralled nine rebounds. Escalera scored ten points, and Graff added eight and tied Falteisek with nine boards.
Brodhagen had eight points and Bridgett Pogodzinski finished with four points and a team high four assists.
Abby had a huge task in front of them on Thursday - stop the Assumption Royals. It’s a job few teams have accomplished as the Royals wrapped up the Marawood - South with a 13-2 mark in league play and 20-2 overall record.
The Falcons managed just 12 points in the first half, but held their own on defense, only letting the Royals score 25.
But things went off the rails in the second half. The Falcons continued to struggle to get points, and after being held under 30 in the first half, the Royals found their range in the second half.
Ainara Sainz de Rozas scored a game high 15 points, and Falteisek and Escalera, the leading scorers against Rib Lake, could not get shots to fall. Abby dropped a 60-28 decision to Assumption. Bridgett Pogodzinski was the only Falcon to finish in double digits, with 11 points.
Falteisek and Sommer Brodhagen were limited to four apiece. Calley Ruesch, Alea Graff and Adriana Fuentes all picked up three points apiece.
The Falcons close out the regular season with a road game against the Phillips Loggers. The Logger won the Marawood North title this year, but the game will be good preparation for the playoffs.
Abbotsford earned a seventh seed, and will host tenth seeded Nekoosa in the WIAA D-4 regional quarterfinals on Tuesday, Feb. 22. Tip-off is at 7 p.m.
