WRENSHALL- The North Woods girls’ basketball team made the most of a long road trip to Wrenshall on Monday, thumping the home Wrens by a score of 73-28.
This game gave Head Coach Liz Cheney her best glimpse yet in game conditions as to where this year’s squad could go, with the Grizzlies controlling the tempo, implementing a new press, and getting big offensive contributions from leaders Helen Koch and Hannah Kinsey.
While Kinsey has been a go-to scorer, Koch has been more productive defensively and with assists. Based on their performances last year, Cheney has been looking for the pair to deliver a one-two scoring punch for the team, and they delivered on Monday. Kinsey knocked down 22 points and Koch poured in 19.
“This is the first game they have been leading together, Helen from the outside and Hannah from the inside,” Cheney said. “This was Helen’s best game offensively so far. It was great to see her making the threes and finding that offensive success. I’m hoping this was the boost Helen needed to get her on track to be putting up double digits for us.”
Throwing in the new press generated the steals and fast breaks that propelled North Woods to 47 first-half points, giving Cheney the comfortable cushion to focus on the Grizzlies’ set offense and lineup combinations in the second half.
“It was good to see some new possibilities, some players stepping up and taking advantage of their time on the court,” Cheney said. “This will only make us a stronger team.”
Coming off two consecutive losses and a snow cancellation, this result came at the right time.
“Wins like this boost confidence, which is really what they need,” Cheney said. “It was a great way to end the first half of the season as we go into winter break and prepare for the holiday tournament in Aitkin. When we start back in January, we hope to be ready to play a more consistent and competitive game.”