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The Cardinal girls have been rolling through the Middle Border Conference with a perfect 8-0 record as they traveled to New Richmond for the biggest game of the season thus far. The Cardinals had an 11-2 overall record with just two nonconference defeats. New Richmond entered the game 9-2 overall and 7-1 in the conference. A Tigers win would put them in a first-place tie with Prescott, a Cardinals win would give them a two-game lead in the conference with five games to go.

Prescott came out and played excellent defense as they have all season. The Cardinals would hold the Tigers to just 21 first half points to build a 36-21 halftime lead. Prescott would again hold down the New Richmond offense in the second half holding onto their 15-point lead as they win convincingly 59-44. With the win, the Cardinals have a magic number of three to win the conference. Any combination of Prescott wins or New Richmond losses totaling three would give the Cardinals the Middle Border Conference regular season title.

The Cardinals shot very well in the game, finishing 51% from inside the arc. The Cardinals had 17 assists on 26 made baskets. Prescott held New Richmond to just 15-42, or 35.7% from the field. The Cardinals had a much better shooting percentage and took 14 more shots in the game. The main reason for the shot disparity was that Prescott owned the boards, outrebounding New Richmond 33-20 in the game.

“Our defense creates our offense at times. Bella (Lenz) and Nicole (Dalman) had big nights rebounding. We ran our offense and did get good looks. We’ve been working on some patience and we did show some. Tori had a good night again. Teams are keying on Bella, so we need others to step up,” Coach Rob Radloff said.

Senior Nicole Dalman led the way with 19 points and 12 rebounds, posting yet another double-double on the season. Tori Benck added 11 points and five assists, Bella Lenz scored nine points with 12 rebounds and five assists. Lila Posthuma added seven points, Brynley Goerhing scored six points on three of three shooting, Sydney Matzek scored five points and Erin Boatman added a pair of points.

Coach Radloff mentioned that the team will unfortunately be missing players in their next game due to the coronavirus.

“We are down to 8 girls as COVID took out our C/JV team. Luckily, we still have our top seven varsity players to face Osceola on Tuesday. Kennedy Braun is a freshman that already had COVID so she will get her first varsity game on Tuesday. She is scared to death as she is just learning the game. Great kid!”_ The Cardinals will have plenty of time to enjoy the big victory as the girls have a week off before returning to action on Tuesday the 26th against the Osceola Cheiftains. Prescott hammered the Cheiftains earlier this year in Osceola, winning 81-41. The Cardinals continue their two-year unbeaten streak in conference.

Coach Radloff doesn’t feel any extra pressure on the team.

“We don’t talk about things as such. We focus on who is next. One game at a time. It is nice to see this group do well.”