Abbotsford girls defeated in trio of home games
By Nathaniel Underwood
The Abbotsford girls basketball team fell to 0-6 on the season after suffering defeats to Rib Lake, Auburndale and Spencer over the past week.
Spencer, 56-26
The Falcons four-game homestand came to a close on Monday evening when Abbotsford hosted the Spencer Rockets. The two squads played competitive ball for the first half, but the visiting Rockets were able to control the second period to knock off the hosting Falcons 56-26.
Azalea Atkinson gave the Falcons the first points of the game, hitting a layup to get the scoring started. Spencer answered with a small, five-point run of their own to take the lead, but a pair of free throws from Celia Schindler kept Abbotsford within a possession. The Rockets once again distanced themselves slightly, but a three courtesy of Jackie Soto and another field goal in the paint from Atkinson on consecutive possessions knotted the game at 9-9.
Riley Podevels was able to get the Falcons another tie at 11-11, but the home team could never get over the hump to reclaim the lead for themselves. Spencer answered with a three on their next time down the court and led the rest of the way.
The Falcons had several rallies in the first half, but could never fully overcome the deficit they found themselves in. A make from Schindler brought Abbotsford back within a possession with just under six minutes left in the half and Soto’s second basket of the game had them within a point at 20-19.
However, the fouls were beginning to pile up for Abbotsford and Spencer was able to take advantage in the final three minutes of the first half. The Rockets sank five of their six free throw attempts down the stretch, allowing themselves to take a eight point lead into half time, their largest of the game thus far.
After a closely contested first period, the Rockets seized control in the second half. After playing man-to-man defense for a good portion of the first half, the Rockets switched to a zone and continued to play it in the second half, a move that the home team struggled to contend with. After a pair of free throws from Schindler early in the second period, Abbotsford was held scoreless for nearly 13 minutes, the Falcons unable to find any cracks in Spencer’s defense. The Rockets scored 22 unanswered points over that stretch, giving them a 32 point advantage.
A three from Schindler with two and half minutes left ended the scoring drought for the Falcons, but they fell 56-26. Abbotsford was held to five points in the second period.
Schindler led the team with 10 points, Soto and Treankler both had five points, Atkinson finished with four points and Podevels had two.
Auburndale, 71-17
Abbotsford ran into another strong non-conference opponent last Friday evening, facing off against the Auburndale Eagles at home.
While the Falcons defense played well at times, Abbotsford was not able to find much consistency on the other side of the floor to complement their play. The home team was able to hold Auburndale to nine points over the first five minutes of the contest and nearly matched that total themselves, getting a three-pointer from Jackie Soto and baskets from Azalea Atkinson and Celia Schindler.
However, following Schindler’s long jump shot, the Falcons managed just three points, all courtesy of free throws from Nevaeh Treankler, over the final 13 and a half minutes of the first period. During that stretch, Auburndale scored 30 points, going up 39-10 by halftime.
The scoring drought for the Falcons continued into the second half as the visitors were able to hold Abbotsford scoreless for the first six and a half minutes of the period. Paola Tzintzun got the home team back on the board after collecting an offensive rebound and turning it into a layup, but the Falcons found themselves down 51-12.
Auburndale continued their dominance over the final quarter of the game, outscoring Abbotsford 20-5 down the stretch and eventually dealing them a 71-17 defeat.
Treankler and Asia Atkinson led the team with four points each, Soto finished the game with three points and Schindler, Tzintzun and Azalea Atkinson all had two points each.
Rib Lake, 74-18
The Falcons were outmatched in a home conference game against Rib Lake last Tuesday. The Redmen scored 35 straight points over the middle portions of the game to take a 47-6 lead part way through the second period and ultimately defeated Abbotsford 74-18.
It was a tough night for most of the Abbotsford offense. They did not score over the final 11 minutes of the first half and were held under 20 points for the entirety of the contest.
Azalea Atkinson was a bright spot for the struggling Falcons. The senior put up 14 of the team’s 18 points, making all but one of the team’s field goals on Tuesday evening.
The Falcons kept things relatively close over the first seven minutes. While Rib Lake was able to open a 12-2 lead, a pair of back-to-back baskets from Azalea and Asia Atkinson brought them back within two possessions. However, Abbotsford would not score again in the first half following the basket by the younger Atkinson, enabling Rib Lake to run away with the game.
Azul Diaz added Abbotsford’s final two points on a pair of free throws.
BATTLING TO GET TO THE PAINT - Asia Atkinson tries to sneak past her Eagle defender in Abby’s loss to the Eagles. STAFF PHOTO/NATHANIEL UNDERWOOD
NICE AND EASY - Nevaeh Treankler scores one of her four points by sinking a free throw against Auburndale. STAFF PHOTO/NATHANIEL UNDERWOOD
