It was a big night with Redfield-Doland
by John Suhr
In front of a packed house the Webster Area boys and girls cagers took on Redfield in a doubleheader contest Jan. 27.
In the boys contest, no one was leaving their seats early as they saw their team battle back from a 13 point third quarter deficit to make it a true battle on the hard court.
Redfield got the ball dropping in early for them in the first quarter and took a seven point spread, 20-13 at the end of one.
The Pheasants looked to peck away at the Cats as they headed into the locker room up by 15, 36-21.
The Cats came out strong in the third quarter, but could only close the gap by a pair of points which left the score at 46-33.
The fourth quarter was Bearcat action as they roared and clawed away at the Pheasants’ lead.
The Cats went to some aggressive defense on a full court press and some key steals and threes to put them on top in the back and fourth eight minutes of action.
In the end it came down to free throws for the Pheasants which they were able to connect on and took the 57-53 win.
Andy Rithmiller and Connor Spindler dumped in 12 points each, Aaron Sattler chipped in nine and Josh Hoven eight.
Webster was 22 of 69 from the field and had 11 attempts at the stripe, sinking five.
The Pheasants sank 17 of 55 from the field but hit 18 of 28 freebies at the line.
Rithmiller led the Cats on the boards, pulling down seven of their 27 rebounds. Teammates Spencer Lux and Aaron Sattler hauled in four apiece.
Webster had eight assists in the contest with Reid Valsvig, Lux and Brandon Whitmyre each accredited with three of the Cats’ 18 assists.
Brady Bury had three of Webster’s six steals on the night while Chandler Hol-land came up with two blocks and Lux had one.
Both squads turned the ball over 12 times.
Redfield had 30 rebounds, six assists, six steals and one block.
It was Webster Area taking the B contest 31-22.
Fall to Groton
Webster Area opened their first quarter at home against the the Groton Tigers 16-11 and never looked back from that point taking the contest 54-53 at the buzzer.
Coach Shawn Geigle said following the Bearcat win, “We played a complete game tonight. I’m very proud of our whole team.”
The Cats led by six going into the locker room 32-26 and 45-40 at the third quarter stop.
Three Bearcats hit double digit scoring with Andy Rithmiller tossing in 16 points, Connor Spindler 14 and Spencer Lux chipped in 10 points while teammate Reid Valsvig added eight.
The difference came down to the line as both teams went to the free throw line 23 times. Webster knocked down 17 and the Tigers 15.
Webster controlled the boards 38-20. Lux and Rithmiller pulled down 10 and six respectively. Lux also had the solo block.
Rithmiller had three of the Cats’ 10 assists and it was Rithmiller and Spindler with a steal each.
Webster won the B contest 42-33, but fell in the C game 22-41.
Girls fall 22-44
It was a different story for the girls team as Redfield put on a full court press and held the local club to just five points in the first stanza and a solo buck in the second while dropping in 25 points in the first half.
Webster loosened up in the second half coming out with nine points to the Pheasant’s eight but the 16 point deficit, 16-32 was to much.
The birds managed another 12 in the final eight minutes to take the game 44-22.
Webster’s top scorers had five points coming from Jade Storley and Kelli Mammenga while Breanna Bullert hit for four points.
Webster Area was 10 of 41 from the field and just two of nine at the stripe.
Jordan Meland hauled in five of the Bearcats’ 28 rebounds while teammates Lindsey Vogl and Megan Nelson had four each.
The Bearcats had eight steals, 10 assists and 14 turnovers. The Pheasants matched on the turns, came away with 12 steals, five assists and hauled in 30 rebounds.
Webster won the B contest 40-27.
Upcoming contests
Webster Area will be away for a doubleheader Feb. 7 against Northwest-ern, the boys travel to Hamlin Feb. 10 while the girls host Hamlin Feb. 8, travel to Florence-Henry Feb. 11 and Wilmot Feb. 13.
