Depth helps overcome Kirk’s absence

) Delaney Sjong, who had a big game in Sam Kirk’s absence last week, drives to the hoop. (Photo by Earlene Frederick).
Delaney Sjong, who had a big game in Sam Kirk’s absence last week, drives to the hoop. (Photo by Earlene Frederick).

By Jason Arndt
Staff Writer

Even without one of their leading scorers, the Panthers defeated visiting Waterford to stay in control of the Southern Lakes Conference Friday, courtesy of a deep bench and inside game.

Senior guard Sam Kirk, who is second with 12.8 points per game, missed the game due to illness.

But, courtesy of the team’s depth, Wilmot won 57-54 to stay unbeaten at 7-0 (11-2 overall) in the Southern Lakes Conference.

Wilmot out rebounded the visiting Wolverines 42-22 and scored 27 bench points, compared to Waterford’s 12.

According to coach Keiya Square, the Panthers came prepared to defend Waterford.

“We didn’t have to make any adjustments defensively,” Square said. “We have played a lot of girls all year so everyone was ready to step in.”

Junior 5-foot-10 shooting guard Delaney Sjong produced a stellar performance for the Panthers, pouring in a game-high 17 points, snagged eight rebound and had two steals.

Clinging to a 24-23 lead entering halftime, Sjong kept up the pace for Wilmot.

“Delaney really stepped up and played huge in the second half,” Square said. “She was seven for seven from the field in the second half and did a great job of controlling the paint for us.”

Andie Brown, a 5-8 junior, stepped in for the Panthers and scored a career-best 10 points and had five boards in just 12 minutes.

Brown has a tremendous feel for the ball in the low post, Square said.

Junior 5-6 guard Devin Coleman, who collected a team-leading nine rebounds, also had five assists and two steals.

Of Coleman’s nine rebounds, five were on the offensive end.

“Devin did a good job of attacking the rim on rebounds especially on the offensive end,” Square said. “When you have guards that can rebound it really helps out.”

Waterford, who dropped to 1-6 in the SLC, had three scorers in double figures with Kayla Brandenburg and Kathleen Fitzgerald producing 12 points apiece with 10 from Maddy Anderson.

With a one-game lead in the Southern Lakes Conference, the Panthers need to stay focused in its Friday showdown at Lake Geneva Badger, which features team leader Sam Tisa with 13.2 points and 10.1 rebounds per game.

Square also noted Jennifer Freeman and her 9.9 points per game.

“Tisa is a good post player, and Freeman is one of the best shooters in the league,” he said.

“We need to get back to playing tough defense and making teams play at our tempo,” said Square.


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