Red Knights Run Over Wildcats

     Our Wildcats did not play well in any phase of the game on Saturday afternoon as they dropped a game to section foe Benilde-St. Margaret's 69-54. A close game throughout the first half, the Red Knights slowly pulled away in the second half behind University of Minnesota recruit Grace Coughlin and her game high 31 points.

     Coughlin averages 18 points per game and she had reached that total by halftime as Benilde built a 38-31 lead. Benilde made 28 of their 47 shots, a blistering 59.6%. Waconia would convert 17 of 44 shots (38.6%). The Wildcats were also hindered by 24 turnovers.

     There was a huge disrepency in the rebounding battle that favored Benilde as well. Though they were shorter at most positions on the floor, the Red Knights hauled down 43 rebounds to the Wildcats 26. Benilde would benefit from 17 offensive rebounds. By contrast, the Cats collected just 6.

     Three Wildcats managed to score in double figures led by Morgan Iverson with 16. Caroline Jacobs and Steph Dressen added 12 and 11 points respectively. Dressen had 9 rebounds. Anna Schmitt hauled down 5. No other Wildcat had more than 3.

     Our 9th grade Wildcats cruised to a comfortable 12 point win. Hallie Koppi, Emily Anderson, and Sami Jones all scored in double figures. Anderson netted her 13 points and all 9 of her rebounds in just one half of action.

     The JV team earned a 1 point win over Benilde. With the score tied at 52 Kaylee Vanderhoff converted a free throw to give Waconia the winning margin with just 6 seconds to play. The JV team has now won 8 games in a row.

     All three teams will travel to Delano next Tuesday and Glencoe-Silver Lake on Friday. The final three games of the season will offer the Cats an opportunity to prepare for their first round playoff matchup which will almost certainly be against their rival, Holy Family.