Falcons dip to 9-8 after 67-33 loss to Phillips at home

By Nathaniel Underwood

The Abbotsford girls basketball team hosted the Phillips Loggers on Monday evening for a Marawood-North matchup. The visiting Loggers, behind a swarming defensive performance, were able to sweep the season series between the two clubs, defeating the Falcons 67-33.

Sommer Brodhagen briefly gave the Falcons a 2-0 lead to open the contest, but the flow of the game very quickly turned to Phillips’ advantage. The visiting squad went on a 13-2 run, scoring eight of those points in transition. The Loggers ability to push the ball down the court, especially after Abbotsford turnovers, was a formula that worked all night. The Falcons struggled to find holes in Phillips’ high-trapping zone and the visitors were able to create enough steals to force the issue down on the opposite end.

The Falcons’ offensive woes continued as the half progressed and the Loggers were able to press their control over the game further. Down 15-7 at the midway point of the first period, Abbotsford was held to four points over the final nine minutes of the half and no Falcons player made more than one field goal over the course of the first 18 minutes of the game. Meanwhile, Phillips was able to put up another 23 points before the break and held a 38-11 lead heading into the locker rooms.

Abbotsford was able to find more success in the second period, but it was still Phillips that commanded the early portion of the half. A 11-2 run for the Loggers to open the half solidified their hold over the contest, putting them up 49-13.

The best stretch for the Falcons came during the middle minutes of the second half, where they were able to score 13 points over four minutes of game time. Brodhagen scored five of those points during the stretch, Sydney Falteisek added four points of her own and baskets from Asia Atkinson and Lillian Graun kept the flow of the offense rolling. Abbotsford’s defense meanwhile, was able to hold Phillips relatively in check, only allowing four points over this period. However, this was only able to put a dent in the Loggers extensive lead, and Phillips was able to hold on to a comfortable 34-point victory.

Phillips was able to shoot over 50 percent from the field, with their two top offensive weapons, Kacy Eggebrecht and Mataya Eckert, going a combined 23-for-27 on field goal attempts. The Falcons were held to 25 percent shooting and made just one of their nine three-point attempts.

Brodhagen led the team with nine points. Neveah Treankler added six more, Atkinson finished the game with five points, and Falteisek had four points and six rebounds. Celia Schindler had three points and two assists and Graun, McKinley Klabon and Hazel Flink all had two points each.

The Falcons will look to bounce back against Marathon this Friday, Feb. 2. They will travel to take on the Marawood-South Red Raiders, who hold a 5-14 record and are coming off a 61-37 defeat to Pacelli. Game time is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.

LINING UP LAYUPS - Celia Schindler, left, and Sommer Brodhagen, right, connect on transition baskets against Phillips.

STAFF PHOTOS/NATHANIEL UNDERWOOD