Cold start doesn’t deter Humboldt girls in win over Gaels

Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Ava Fischer of Humboldt goes to the basket at St. Edmond on Tuesday night. For more photos, please visit CU.messengernews.net
CJ Tracy was pleased with the way his St. Edmond girls basketball team started against Humboldt on Tuesday night.
The finish was where the Gaels (5-12 overall) struggled in a 54-41 loss to the Wildcats.
St. Edmond didn’t allow Humboldt (10-9) a field goal for the entire first period, but the Wildcats eventually found their footing and pulled out a 54-41 win to sweep the season series.
“We played really solid defense early, but we couldn’t put the ball in the basket ourselves,” Tracy said. “All of the sudden they hit a couple of shots and built a lead.”
After a first quarter of going 0-for-14 on field goal tries, Humboldt hit five baskets, including three triples in the second period to take a 21-13 lead.
Humboldt’s first point came with 4:29 left in the first period, and their initial field goal was a three-pointer by Ava Fischer with 6:18 to go in the second quarter for an 8-6 lead.
“We got the right shots — they just weren’t falling at first,” said Humboldt head coach Rodd Mooney. “We needed to eventually capitalize on the open looks.”
The Wildcats were playing without scoring leader Morgan Mann (16.6), who is nursing a knee injury.
“This was our first game without Morgan, so we had to adjust,” Mooney said. “We had girls that stepped into roles they haven’t had before.
“We needed a full team effort, and the girls responded.”
Fischer, who is averaging 11.9 points herself, picked up the slack with 25 points. She hit five three-point baskets.
The Wildcats, who are averaging 6.6 triples per contest, drilled 10 on Tuesday night.
“We’re always looking to hit the three ball,” said Mooney, whose team has 129 treys this season. “We felt the last time we played (St. Edmond), we didn’t cut off their dribble drive enough. We took that away and did a better job.”
The Wildcats ultimately built a 20-point lead that the Gaels trimmed to 12 late in the third and 13 for the final.
The Gaels struggled from the field, going 14-for-49.
“We missed a lot of point-blank shots,” Tracy said. “We have to take better advantage of our opportunities.”
St. Edmond senior Josie Harvey had a double-double, scoring 17 points and pulling down 13 rebounds. Harvey has 424 career points and now ranks 22nd on St. Edmond’s all-time scoring list. She is 12 points behind Jodi Bradley (1993-95), who has 436 points.
Junior Anna Lursen eclipsed a career mark, pulling down nine rebounds against the Wildcats to give her 198 boards for the season and 502 for her career.
Chloe Palmer contributed nine points for SEHS.
The Gaels out-rebounded the Wildcats, 36-22, but Humboldt forced 21 turnovers while only committing 13.
“This past month, we’ve talked about having to win the rebound battle and keep turnovers to a minimum. Everything else would take care of itself,” Tracy said. “We tried to come back, but we couldn’t overcome the scrappiness of Humboldt.”
Paige Nelson (10 points) also reached double digits for the Wildcats. Kaitlyn Nelson had eight points.
The Gaels are back in action on Thursday at Pocahontas Area (13-5). Tip is set for 6:15 p.m. as part of a girl/boy varsity doubleheader.
HUMBOLDT 54, ST. EDMOND 41
Humboldt — Meg Zweibohmer 1-3 2-2 5, Paige Nelson 4-11 1-3 10, Kaitlyn Nelson 3-6 0-2 8, Ava Fischer 7-19 6-6 25, Ava Newton 1-3 0-0 2, Jada VandeWalle 1-3 1-2 4, Payton Elman 0-0 0-0, Adelynn Goodell 0-0 0-0 0, Kate Sievers 0-0 0-0 0, Kiera Anderson 0-0 0-0 0, Landry Lash 0-1 0-0 0, Abby Armitage 0-0 0-0 0. Totals: 17-46 10-15 54.
St. Edmond — Anna Lursen 1-6 0-0 2, Payton Bradley 2-11 0-0 5, Chloe Palmer 4-10 1-2 9, Abby Huss 1-3 3-6 6, Jose Harvey 5-17 4-5 17, Ava Bradley 0-0 0-0 0, Maggie Flaherty 0-0 0-0 0, Sophia Schlienz 0-1 0-0 0, Ava Andrew 0-0 0-0 0, Braelynn Rees 0-0 0-0 0, Morgan Lewis 0-0 0-0 0. Totals: 14-49 8-13 41.
Quarter scores: SE led 6-3, Humboldt led 21-13, 42-24. Three-point goals: Humboldt 10-26 (Fischer 5-12, Kaitlyn Nelson 2-4, Paige Nelson 1-4, Zweibohmer 1-3, VandeWalle 1-3); St. Edmond 5-20 (Harvey 3-7, Huss 1-2, Payton Bradley 1-7, Palmer 0-3, Schlienz 0-1); Total Rebounds: Humboldt 22, St. Edmond 36; Total fouls: Humboldt 10, St. Edmond 15; Turnovers: Humboldt 13, St. Edmond 21.