Greenwood girls defeat Loyal at home Lindner achieves 1,000 rebounds

By Valorie Brecht Two longstanding neighboring rivals faced off Jan. 14 in the Greenwood High School gym, with the Loyal Greyhounds coming up short, particularly in the second half, to take the loss. The Greenwood girls were happy to add another W to their win column, but more significant than that, they saw one of their players reach a career milestone that few high school players achieve. Midway through the first half, senior Tysen Lindner snagged her 1,000th rebound, prompting a timeout and celebration from teammates and spectators.

“This is a huge accomplishment. I’m just so proud that the hard work and determination has paid off for her. I’m so happy I could be on the sideline to see it,” wrote Lindner’s coach Trevor Wuethrich in an email.

Lindner’s accomplishment is a culmination of the hard work she’s put in as an athlete over her school years.

“She started as a freshman (and) always had a motor to play. She just mentally grew into her game and has become a force to deal with,” wrote Wuethrich.

Lindner’s rebound total comes on the heels of last season, when she broke the school rebounding record previously held by Janalee (Rondorf) Knapmiller (752 rebounds) during the playoffs. Lindner finished her junior season with 801 rebounds.

“Rebounding is about effort, and she has put in that effort every day… You can’t teach that. It’s just a trait that someone has, and she has it. She brings that attitude every day and she comes in with that work ethic,” said Wuethrich at that time.

Returning to last week’s game, Lindner and her teammates were all business when it came to defending the basket, but so was Loyal.

“It’s always a defensive battle when we match up,”

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wrote Wuethich.

It took two-and-a-half minutes for either team to put one in. Olivia Nikolai made a layup for Loyal, followed by a jump shot by Summer Smith, putting Loyal up 4-0. It took another three-and-a-half minutes for Greenwood to get on the board. Eliska Louckova drove down the court on a fast break and popped in two for the Indians. A little while later, Lindner cut through some heavy traffic by the net to score another two for Greenwood. A few more buckets from both sides left the score at 13-11 at halftime, with Greenwood leading.

In the second half, Greenwood picked up the pace, more than doubling their scoring output with 29 points.

“(We) executed the game plan to make a few baskets and defense on the other end got a few stops,” wrote Wuethrich.

Loyal scored more points in the second half as well, but could not keep up with Greenwood. The Greyhounds put up 18 additional points, including three 3-pointers, giving them 29 points in all. That left the final score at 42-29, Greenwood taking the victory.

“I always like our no-quit attitude,” Wuethrich wrote. Greenwood went to the line far more times than Loyal. Of 20 free throw attempts, they made nine. Loyal made one free throw of four.

Louckova held the title of top scorer for Greenwood, putting in 14 points, including five 2-pointers, a three, and a free throw. Lindner was next with 10 points, including four 2-pointers and two free throws. Tatym Travis scored eight points, Bria Thomas had five, Addison Davidson and Faith Kolano each had two, and Avery Travis scored one.

Loyal’s leading scorer was Autumn Zvolena, with 10 points, including two baskets from beyond the arc. Nikolai scored seven and Mallory Jakobi had five. Smith, Annika Schley, and Jordynn Corder all scored a 2-pointer. Payten Wolf chipped in a free throw.

VALORIE BRECHT/STAFF PHOTOS