Schmidgall's 23 points fuels Hancock win

The Hancock girls sprang onto the court at West Central Area (Barrett) Thursday and achieved win No. 7. The Owls closed out the 2010 phase of the schedule with a 56-43 win.

They were in control at halftime, owning a 27-14 lead over the Knights. The second half was a 29-29 standoff.

West Central Area began this season with five straight wins so they have a quite proven attack.

Hancock's success was despite some sputtering in long-range shooting. Just one of nine three-point tries went down, and this was by Shae Brown.

Jen Froemming was a force for the host Knights and she poured in 20 points. Kendra Schmidgall of the Owls outdid that, recording 23 points to pace the Owls. She set the pace in rebounds too with her ten.

Courtney Greiner was in double figures form shooting, as she posted 14 points. Courtney also grabbed eight rebounds. Olivia Koehl added six points to the mix.

Brown and Serandon Bigalke each scored five points and Sami Schmidgall put in three.

Bigalke led in assists with seven followed by Brown with four. Greiner was the steal leader with five and she was followed by Schmidgall and Brown each with four.

Schmidgall blocked four shots.

The Owls were 20 of 51 in total field goals. Their rebound total was 36 and they committed 13 fouls.

The Knights' Froemming is a senior guard. The 20 points by this diminutive (five feet-six) athlete made her the only double figures scorer among the Knights. She made the only WCA three-pointer.

Danna Sabolik scored six points for the Knights. Shawna Jenson and Abby Peterson each scored five. Kelsey Hammer scored three, and Hilary Lindor and Tianna Christensen two each.

The Owls came out of Thursday's action at 7-1 and the Knights at 5-2.

Click on the link below to reach the Hancock girls schedule page on Pheasant Country Sports:

http://www.pheasantcountrysports.com/teamschedule.php?yid=1112&tid=1174&sid=1230158

Click on the link below to read some highlights of the Owls' first six wins:

http://www.ilovemorris73.blogspot.com/2011/12/hancock-girls-true-to-standards-start.html

Let's get into 2012! Tuesday, 1/3, action will have coach Jodi Holleman's high-flying crew visiting Dawson-Boyd (to play the Blackjacks, one of my favorite team nicknames).

Then on Monday, 1/9, more road action is presented as the Owls will visit MACCRAY.

The Owls will bound onto their comfortable home court on Friday, Jan. 13, to face the Trojans of Ortonville.

- Brian Williams - morris mn Minnesota - bwilly73@yahoo.com