Greenwood girls secure win over Spencer after close first half

By Valorie Brecht The Greenwood girls basketball team rose higher in the conference standings after earning a win against Spencer last Friday night, an early Christmas present. The Indians traveled to Spencer to take on the Rockets in what was somewhat a tale of two halves.

Spencer was the first to score, with a 2-point basket. The teams went back and forth for awhile, with scores of 7-6 Greenwood with 12:41 on the clock, 9-8 Greenwood a minute later, 11-11 at 9:02 and 13-13 at 7:23. Greenwood had a hard time finding and keeping a rhythm, with the shots just not falling for Avry Wuethrich, the team’s leading scorer. In the meantime, Spencer didn’t let off the gas pedal.

“Spencer brought the energy — we got out-hustled in the first half,” said Greenwood coach Trevor Wuethrich.

As the half neared its end, though, the tide began to turn. Greenwood’s Tysen Lindner picked up a free throw, one of four she made on the night. Then Lainy Trampush grabbed an offensive rebound and put it in for another Greenwood score. Lindner did the same thing shortly after that.

“Space and attack,” Spencer coach called out to his players, as the Rockets were thrown a bit off balance and started to play more rushed.

Shortly after that, Lindner stole the ball and was fouled to go to the line, making one. Spencer’s Alexa Weber was fouled as well and put in both of her free throws to make it 19-15, Greenwood ahead. However, Greenwood got another chance at the free throw line plus a layup from Avry Wuethrich to go ahead further.

By the end of the half, Greenwood had gotten out to an 11-point lead, 29-18. That was partially due to Tatym Travis and Lindner playing aggressive on the inside for the Indians. Lindner got a couple of steals as well. In addition, a couple of Spencer players got into foul trouble and had to sit the bench for a good part of the first half.

The Indians’ lead was a bit of a cushion but not enough to be comfortable and there was still the sense it was anybody’s game as the second half got underway. Shortly into the half, Spencer’s Hannah Schreiner picked up a free throw but that was the last anyone would hear from the Rockets for a while. In the meantime, Greenwood went on a 12-point scoring run.

“We woke up in the second half and regained our energy,” said Trevor Wuethrich.

Greenwood scored points from Sarah Beth Reiff, Avry Wuethrich and Lindner to get things moving. In addition, Spencer got hurt by ball handling issues, getting called for a double dribble and traveling. Fatigue also started to set in for the Rockets, as the team was down two of its top players — Claudia Krause and Autumn Davis – and the other players had to compensate.

By the time the half was halfway over, Greenwood had put a sizable distance between itself and Spencer, with Greenwood up 50-23. The Indians continued to bring the heat on offense, scoring 14 more points before time was up, including a 3 on top by Avry Wuethrich. Greenwood took the 64-29 victory.

Lindner led in scoring for the Indians, with 18 points. She also was the conference’s leading female rebounder with 12.7 rebounds per game heading into the Dec. 22 contest, and she maintained her spot at the top of the leaderboard with plenty of boards that night.

“Every game we play, she is vital under the basket for us. She was our key to success tonight,” said Trevor Wuethrich.

Other scorers for Greenwood were Travis with 13 points, Avry Wuethrich with 12 points, Reiff with 9, Bria Thomas and Trampush with 4 apiece, and Addison Davidson and Britney Walde with 1.

Trevor Wuethrich was also quick to acknowledge Spencer’s effort and not making it an easy win for Greenwood.

“I give a lot of credit to Spencer for how hard they played, especially with two of their best players being out,” he said.

Spencer point totals were as follows: Weber 10, Emma Nieman 6, Montanna Kohls 5, Alexis Mlsna 2, Schreiner 2 and Carmen Krause 2.

Greenwood’s Tysen Lindner tosses up the ball for two points for the Indians. Her coach, Trevor Wuethrich, said she was a powerful inside presence during the recent matchup at Spencer.

VALORIE BRECHT/STAFF PHOTO

Ema Schultz of Spencer tips away an attempted shot by a Greenwood athlete in the Dec. 22 game at Spencer.

VALORIE BRECHT/STAFF PHOTO