Freshmen Brookshaw, Kressin have big games

Despite an all-time record falling in the Ellsworth gym on Tuesday, the Panther Girls lost a hard-fought game with MBC foe Somerset, 60-51. Spartan seniors, Taylor Paulson and Dani Schactner came out determined to gain a split with the host Panthers, having fallen to the Purple 79-75 in each team’s conference opener in November. Paulson drilled two long 3-point baskets, while Schactner dominated inside as the duo scored 22 of 34 first half-points for a 7-point lead at the break._ “We really struggle to match-up with Somerset,” stated Panther’s Coach Jason Janke, “Schactner is not just tall and strong, she’s very good and she plays a solid all-around game. Additionally, the Gaikowski sisters and Paulson have to be guarded closely and they’re not exactly short either,” joked Janke. “Somerset is definitely a strong ball-club and we didn’t play poorly by any stretch, you have to give them a lot of credit. They made big plays whenever we made a run at them.”

Ellsworth countered in the first half with their own high-scoring tandem of Autumn Earney and Molly Janke, who combined for 20 first half points. The Panthers, playing without senior stalwart Brianna Giese, let the Spartans get out to a small lead early and could not ever fully recover, though they did close the gap to 38-35 early in the second half._ Some history was made midway through the second, when Autumn Earney drained two free throws for her 1, 358th and 1,359th points in her career. The latter point made her Ellsworth Girls’ Basketball’s all-time leading scorer. The record was held for 25 years by 1996 graduate, Charysse Minder, who many in the area will remember. Earney did not stop there on Tuesday, as she and teammates gamely challenged Somerset till the very end, as she finished the night with 1,366 career points._ “We are so proud of Autumn,” stated Janke, “she’s worked through a lot of things in our program and for her to be as relatively consistent as she’s been scoring the basketball says a great deal about her ability and positive mindset. As Coach (Dave) Berg mentioned to me this week, she’s climbed to the top of a list that includes absolutely outstanding players from our program’s history. For her to set an alltime record like this is something we’ll all remember being a part of. It’s a great testament to her, that her teammates were so happy for her afterwards. We surely wanted a win tonight, but it will remain a special memory because of the magnitude of a record like that.”

Janke pointed to freshmen Ava Brookshaw and Kayla Kressin as having had particularly strong nights. “Kayla has played very strong in JV games of late and stepped up when Lily (Puhrmann) got into foul trouble. She grabbed, I think, at least 4-5 rebounds in those 10 minutes of the first half. She had played the entire JV game, so we could not utilize her in the second.”

Janke led the Panthers with 23 points and 11 rebounds, while Earney scored 18 points and had 3 steals. Brookshaw not only went for 7 points, but grabbed 10 rebounds and snared 4 steals on the night. Kressin latched on to 6 rebounds in one half of play. Hayley Bach, still slowed by an ankle injury was a force on defense, grabbing 3 steals and 3 rebounds.

Down 2 starters, Panthers Drop MBC Game

The week was not good for the Ellsworth Girls Basketball team in terms of roster availability. The squad was forced to play without two usual starters as they traveled to Osceola on January 28. Despite a slow start, falling behind 9 – 0, the Panthers battled to a 32-25 halftime lead against the Chieftains. However, the first half was the highlight, as the host team ran away with the second half, beating Ellsworth 65-52.

Earney led the way, scoring 24 points, while Janke and Brookshaw added 14 and 13 points respectively. Playing in her first full varsity contest, Kressin helped the Panthers off the backboards, grabbing 7 rebounds, while Janke led in the category, snaring 14.

The Panthers will finish the regular season with consecutive games on February 5 (Home vs. Amery) and February 6 (at Spring Valley). The Panthers open up WIAA Regional play Tuesday at Altoona. The winner of that game takes on New Richmond Feb. 12.

Gaylen Bicking.