Winnebago girls’ basketball picks up wins over Oregon, Dakota

By Trenten Scheidegger

CORRESPONDENT

    The Winnebago Indians picked up a pair of much needed victories to begin the 2024 phase of their girls’ basketball season. After ending 2023 with an overall record of just 6-12. 2024 is off to a much better start as the Lady Indians tipped the new year off with a couple of big wins.

    Winnebago opened the new year with an away matchup against the Oregon Hawks on Jan. 5. Oregon has struggled through the season, much like Winnebago, as they brought a record of 4-13 into the game. The matchup came at the perfect time for the Lady Indians, who were looking to turn their year around.

    It was a back and forth first quarter. Anna Palmer had a pair of early baskets to give Winnebago the edge. Grace Corl hit a big three-pointer to get the Indians going. Madylin DiPiazza added a first quarter basket of her own. Four different Indians scored in the opening quarter as Winnebago took an 11-9 lead into the second.

    Thanks to some lockdown defense, the Indians managed to grow their lead with a big second quarter. The Indians held Oregon to just two points in the quarter, which allowed them to take a commanding lead. On the offensive side, Corl hit her second three-pointer of the night. Reese Erdahl added a three-pointer of her own as the Indians really started to feel it.

    By halftime, Winnebago held a double-digit advantage as they took a 21-11 lead into the break.

    The Indians came out even stronger in the second half. Palmer had a big third quarter with a trio of baskets from inside the paint. Isabelle Burd added a basket, while Corl went two for two at the free throw line. Avery Brûlé, who went scoreless in the first half, got on the board with a pair of field goals.

    In the end, Winnebago put up 14 points in the third. Although Oregon saw an increase in their offensive production, the Indians still took a 35-21 lead into the final quarter.

    The Indians watched the clock tick out in the fourth quarter for a 47-29 victory over Oregon. Palmer led the way in scoring with 16 points. Corl was the next leading scorer with nine, and DiPiazza finished the day with six.

    The important thing for the Indians at this point in the season is their ability to string wins together. They can’t afford another lengthy losing streak. Fortunately for the Indians, they showed their ability to keep the momentum in a Jan. 6 matchup with the Dakota Indians.

    Dakota posed a much bigger threat to the Indians. They came into the matchup with a record of 7-11 on the season, and they were coming off a win over Pearl City. The Indians were still riding the momentum of their last win as well, however.

    Despite being on the road, the Indians were the ones who brought the energy in Dakota. The Indians had an incredible first quarter as they outscored Dakota 15-7. DiPiazza couldn’t be stopped as she quickly put up nine points. Palmer added a pair of her own baskets as Winnebago got out to a commanding lead.

    In the second quarter, the duo of Palmer and Brûlé began to take over. Brûlé went scoreless in the first, but she popped off for ten points in the second, including a pair of free throws. Palmer continued to attack inside as her eight points helped to expand Winnebago’s lead. By the break, the Indians held a massive 38-18 advantage over Dakota.

    In the second half, Winnebago got to watch the clock run out on their second straight victory. Brûlé and Corl each hit third quarter three-pointers. Winnebago had one of their best performances of the year as they went on to beat Dakota 60-27.

    Not only was it Winnebago’s second consecutive victory, but they were also 3-1 over their last four games played. It was also the first time the Indians won back-to-back games this season. The victory improved Winnebago’s record to 6-14 on the season.

    Brûlé led the way in scoring with 15 points. DiPiazza matched her efforts with 15 points of her own. Palmer finished with 12 and Corl had 10 as Winnebago had four in double figures.

    You can’t count Winnebago out yet. They look to be finding their stride in the second half of the season. On Saturday, Jan. 13, the Indians will travel to face off with Guilford at 1 p.m.