Grafton girls get out broom after 13 years in the closet

In December, the Grafton High School girls’ basketball team vanquished the several-year demon at Homestead, beating the Highlanders in Mequon for the first time under coach Matt D’Amato.

Last Friday, the Hawks completed their first sweep of the Highlanders, 54-41, since 2012-13.

This game was not like the 70-58 win on the road on Dec. 16.

“They tried a couple of different tactics. They were a little bit more patient,” D’Amato said of the Highlanders. “It was a very physical game and there weren’t a lot of whistles being blown. It was an exciting game for sure.”

The Hawks’ leading scorer, Cali Tagliapietra, led the way with 20 points on 7-for-12 shooting and had seven rebounds.

“Cali had a really good game,” D’Amato said.

The rest of the team combined to shoot 10-for-38 (26%) from the field.

Lily Verplancke and Brynlee Hildebrand each had eight points. Melanie Morgan had six points and 11 rebounds after sitting for most of the first half with foul trouble.

Ava Dotson didn’t score for the first time this season, but she had five rebounds, five assists, two blocks and two steals.

“Defensively, she was all over the place,” D’Amato said.

A couple of other players came through.

“Madison James had two threes for us. Those were big pick-me-ups. Kendyl Conrad hit a big three,” D’Amato said.

Grafton pulled out to a 32-25 halftime lead with a run in the final two minutes that created separation after a tight 16 minutes.

After starting the second half slowly and having their lead cut to two points, the Hawks got three-pointers from three different players on consecutive possessions.

Their lead reached 18 points, and the Hawks made their free throws down the stretch, going 12-for-17 for the game.

“Those pay off. We were able to execute when we needed to,” D’Amato said.

The Hawks, 16-5, were to play at Nicolet on Tuesday, Feb. 10. They host Slinger for senior night on Tuesday, Feb. 17.

Port earns biggest win in two seasons

Port Washington won at Sheboygan Lutheran, 56-42, on Monday, in a game coach Dave Ross said “was our most significant win in two years because of the quality of the opponent that we played.”

Senior Savanna Miller scored 14 of her 18 points in the second half, and she had eight assists and six steals. Delaney Rauch had 12 points, five assists and three steals. Norah Merow had eight points and 10 rebounds. Ava Paulin had nine points.

“We’ve had some really good practices that led into the Lutheran game,” Ross said.

Port started hot, going up 18-2 early. The Crusaders bounced back to take a 31-30 lead, but the Pirates stayed the course.

“It seemed like one of those days where we’re going to fold, and we didn’t,” Ross said.

“The kids did really well with a lot of different adjustments in the game. We’ve taken pieces of things we learned throughout the season and were able to implement these in the game.”

Ross highlighted Paulin hitting two three-pointers, Grace Riley hitting a big three in the second half and Taylyn Steinert hitting a three during the first-half run.

Lutheran, ranked No. 10 in Bound Wisconsin/Zaleski Sports Girls Basketball Media Poll, went to 14-6. Port improved to 14-7.

Port lost at home, 46-26, to Glacier Trails Conference leader Kettle Moraine Lutheran, ranked No. 2 in Division 3, last Thursday. KML is 19-1.

“They put so much pressure on us that they made it very difficult for us to get into any sort of rhythm. They took us out of things we can do against other teams, and that’s why KML is ranked in state,” Ross said.

Port, 8-2 and in second place in the GTC, plays at Kewaskum (7-3 GTC) on Friday, Feb. 13, and hosts nonconference foe Sheboygan Falls (12-8) on Tuesday, Feb. 17.

Ozaukee girls ride the roller coaster

Ozaukee won at Mayville, 68-58, on Feb. 3, behind 20 points and 19 rebounds from Mya Schroeder and 18 points, eight rebounds and five steals from Savannah Quade. Bianca Marini had 14 points. Addison Kurlinski had five points and nine rebounds.

“This was a very physical and tough game to play. Our team played consistently throughout working hard on defense and moving the ball well on offense,” coach Linda Weyker said.

“We were able to pull some great rebounds, which led to some quick points on the other end of the court.”

The Warriors last Thursday lost at defending state champion Oostburg, 75-27.

“Oostburg is a strong, well-balanced team.  We played hard and did not give up at any time.  Marissa TerMaat played well for us and led the way in scoring,” Weyker said.

Ozaukee, 12-9, was to play West Bend West on Monday, Feb. 9, and at Chesterton Academy on Tuesday, Feb. 10. The Warriors play at Kohler on Tuesday, Feb. 17.

CG-Belgium splits against rivals

Cedar Grove-Belgium lost to undefeated  and top-ranked Oostburg, 76-30, at home on Feb. 3. Gracie Schmidt had 12 points.

The Rockets bounced back by completing a sweep of Random Lake, beating the Rams, 51-41, at home last Thursday.

Schmidt had 28 points on 10-for-20 shooting and nine rebounds. Kami Horn had 12 points on 4-for-8 shooting.

“Random Lake always brings a physical, hard-fought game and tonight was no different,” coach Nicole Depies said. “Gracie Schmidt and Kami Horn really stepped up offensively, and our team effort made the difference in getting the win.”

The Rockets, 4-15, were to play at Sheboygan Christian on Monday, Feb. 9. They play at Sheboygan Lutheran on Friday, Feb. 13, and at Sheboygan South on Tuesday, Feb. 17.