‘Cats on a five-game win streak

Team off to fast starts in its victories

By Casey Krautkramer

The Edgar varsity girls basketball team got off to quick starts in two straight home wins against Auburndale and Athens last week.

The Wildcats got off to a 19-0 lead against the Eagles on Jan. 4 in a 53-37 victory. Edgar handed Auburndale its first Marawood South Conference loss this season.

Edgar jumped out to a 15-0 lead and then a 19-3 advantage in a 58-39 victory against Athens on Friday. The Wildcats gave the Bluejays only their second defeat this season.

Wildcats head girls basketball coach Tom McCarty outlined how his team was so successful in beating both Auburndale and Athens.

“Our team’s quick starts last week was rooted in our defense and focus to our game plans,” he said. “You can see from the Athens box score we didn’t necessarily shoot the ball very well but we came out and played really good defense in the first half. During the last two weeks, our girls have really focused and worked hard in practice to get better in a few areas previously hurting us and their improvement is showing up in our performances. I’m very proud of the way our girls have worked and improved over the course of the last two weeks.”

Edgar junior post player Reagan Borchardt, who is also good at shooting three pointers, achieved double doubles in both the team’s wins against Auburndale and Athens. She led the Wildcats in both games with 13 points and 10 rebounds against the Eagles, followed up with 21 points and 13 rebounds against the Bluejays. Coach McCarty said she’s been dominate on the basketball court since the Christmas break.

Athens was led by the sophomore duo of Jazelle Hartwig and Sophia Coker in the loss to Edgar. Hartwig scored a team-high 18 points and four steals, while Sophia Coker added 11 points and she led the Bluejays with 14 rebounds. Senior McKennzie Schug added eight rebounds.

Senior Malia Hoesly contributed eight points and sophomore Makayla Wirkus had six in the victory against Athens. Senior Skylee Manecke paced the Wildcats with four assists.

Edgar won its fifth consecutive game on Tuesday, following a 42-32 non-conference victory at Spencer. Edgar improves its overall record to 10-4 this season.

‘Jays beat Rebels

Athens downed Laona/Wabeno, 6553, on Monday at home. The Bluejays improve their record to 11-2 overall this season.

Hartwig led four Athens players in double-digit scoring against Laona/ Wabeno. Hartwig scored 18 points followed by sophomore Addison Lavicka and Sophia Coker with 14 each and Schug with 12.

Sophia Coker paced the Bluejays with 15 rebounds and Schug added 12. Junior Celina Ellenbecker led Athens with three assists, while Hartwig and Sophia Coker paced the team with tree steals each.