Road To A First Ever! NVC Championship

Jessi Simons 10 plays close defense against EPPJ's Carey Eischeid 15.  The St. Mary's Lady Cardinals brought home the championship trophy by defeating the EPPJ Wolfpack 48-47. Photo courtesy Studio B Photography.

On Jan. 30, St. Mary's Lady Cardinals started the long road of games with a 49-33 victory over a very good CWC team. Next up, SMH had a tough team to go against, Ewing's Lady Tigers. St. Mary's battled hard and came out on top 47-34. Elgin Public/Pope John Lady Wolfpack stood in their road on the last leg to the NVC championship. In one of the most exciting games this season, St. Mary's Lady Cardinals pulled out a 48-47 hard fought victory to claim the Niobrara Valley Conference championship. 

In the game against Ewing our "twin sophomore towers," Brooke Bauer and Justine Blumenstock each recorded a double-double. Brooke finished with 15 points and 14 rebounds. Justine pulled in 14 rebounds and netted 14 points. Senior Megan Schneider handed out six assists along with five each from Mackenzie Wecker and Bridget Schneider. SMH out rebounded Ewing 44-29 which was a big factor in the win. 

The game against EP/PJ Lady Wolves was a thriller, which wasn't decided until the end. When quarter one ended SMH had a 10-9 lead, but going into half-time and at the end of quarter number three EP/PJ had the advantage. With a 22 point fourth quarter effort led by Emily Everitt and Jessi Pongratz three pointers to tie the game up at 32-32. Freshman Addie Wetzel had a big rebound and put back to keep us up in the game. Bridgett Schneider knocked down some very clutch free throws at the end. With only a few seconds left and SMH holding on to a four point lead EP/PJ knocked down a three, but it wasn't enough as St. Mary's Lady Cardinals got their first ever NVC crown. 

Justine and Brooke led in rebounding while seven players had a good balanced scoring. This was definitely a team effort. Every player on this team, including the ones that didn't get to suit up made this championship and season possible. There is a lot of effort in every practice by every player.

Lady Cards Improve Record 18-2 With Win Over St. Edward 

In a very strange game on the home court SMH beat the St. Edward Lady Beavers 30-13. 

Points were hard to come by in this game as St. Ed.  just held the ball at half court and never gave themselves a chance to win. Our defense was able to shut their post completely down in scoring and rebounding. Their game plan was to work the ball inside, since that didn't work they just stalled the game and let us record our 18th win of the season. Brooke Bauer led all scorers with 15 points and Bridgett Schneider dished out five assists and three steals. 

Two seniors played their last game on the home court, Sarah Vandersnick and  Megan Schneider. Megan nailed a three pointer at the buzzer to seal a home victory