Maconaquah Schools

On Wednesday night, the Lady Braves kicked off their sectional play against the host school, Twin Lakes, securing a hard-fought victory with a final score of 52-46. The game began with the Lady Braves taking an early lead, 15-5, in the first quarter, thanks to the impressive shooting performances of Addie Maiben and Delaney Betzner, who combined for three 3-point field goals, alongside Ireland Kile, who contributed two 2-point field goals. The game was heavily influenced by the Lady Braves' strong defense, as they held Twin Lakes to just 1 of 7 shooting in the first quarter. Additionally, the Lady Braves dominated the boards, recording a total of 10 rebounds—5 offensive and 5 defensive. In the second quarter, both teams found their offensive rhythm, each hitting two 3-point field goals. Ireland Kile and Delaney Betzner added a 3-pointer and two 2-point field goals each, helping the Lady Braves extend their lead to 27-15 by halftime. After the break, Twin Lakes came out aggressively, attacking the basket and earning trips to the free-throw line to chip away at the deficit. They converted 5 of 7 free throws in the quarter and added two 3-pointers, outscoring the Lady Braves 15-9. Although the Lady Braves also found opportunities at the charity stripe, making only 3 of 8 attempts, they maintained a 36-30 lead going into the final quarter. In the fourth quarter, the Lady Braves upheld their defensive pressure to preserve their lead. With about two minutes remaining, Twin Lakes resorted to fouling in an attempt to slow the game and reduce the margin. The Lady Braves took 23 free throws in the final quarter, making just enough to stay ahead. With 16 seconds left in the game, the Lady Braves held a narrow 49-46 lead. Following a missed second free throw, Ireland Kile secured an offensive rebound and scored, converting the subsequent free throw to extend the lead to 52-46, which would ultimately be the final score. The Lady Braves demonstrated remarkable energy from the outset, fueled by support from their bench and fans in the gym. A special shoutout goes to the group of boys basketball players who attended the game and contributed to the lively atmosphere from their front-row seats. The Lady Braves are set to play in the semi-finals tonight (Friday, Feb. 7) at 7:30 pm against Western. Coach Davis and the entire team hope to see a large crowd from Maconaquah to boost their energy and create an exciting cheer block. Team Stats: 2FGM: +5 2FG%: 44% Transition Points: +3 Second Chance Points: +7 Points in Paint: +10 Offensive Rebounds: +12 Total Rebounds: +4 Turnovers: 9 (season low) Individual Stats: Ireland Kile: 21 pts, 7 rebs, 1 steal and 1 assist Addie Maiben: 10 pts, 3 rebs, 1 steal and 2 assist Delaney Betzner: 10 pts, 5 rebs, 1 steal and 1 assist Kasey Murry: 5 pts, 2 rebs, and 2 assist Aubrey Kaiser: 4 pts, 6 rebs, 2 steals and 2 assist Aubrey Stoll 2 pts, 6 rebs, 1 steal and 2 assist Averie Maiben: 2 rebs and 1 assist