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Paynesville Press - March 19, 2003

Junior Varsity: Dogs end season 15-5

By Brittany Lieser & Rachael Wendlandt

On Thursday, Feb. 6, the Bulldogs junior varsity girls' basketball team defeated Sauk Centre 40-31. The Bulldogs outscored Sauk 14-3 in the second quarter and led 18-10 at the half. Sophomore Rachael Wendlandt had eight points in the first half.

Paynesville led 26-22 after three quarters, and sophomore Brittany Lieser scored eight points in the fourth quarter as the Bulldogs won. Lieser had 16 points to lead the Dogs, and Wendlandt added 10.

Traveling to ACGC on Monday, Feb. 10, the Dogs fell behind 12-4 at the end of the first quarter against the Falcons. ACGC led 17-10 at the half.

The Dogs played much better in the second half and cut the lead to two points entering the fourth quarter at 25-23. Sophomore Kayla Mackedanz and ninth grader Brooke Schmitz led the comeback with six points each in the quarter, and they led the team with 11 points apiece total.

The Dogs missed a three-point shot at the end of the game and lost 36-33.

On Friday, Feb. 14, the Bulldogs hosted St. Cloud Cathedral for parents' night. Playing in the middle school gym for the first time all season (due to a varsity doubleheader), the Dogs jumped to a 19-8 lead at the end of the first quarter and a 28-15 lead at the half. In the third quarter, the Dogs put the game away by outscoring the Crusaders 14-7. And they won 53-28.

The girls had a great three-point shooting night. Schmitz made four treys and finished with 19 points. Ninth grader Ashley Lieser made three treys.

On Tuesday, Feb. 18, the girls hosted Albany with the bragging rights for conference junior varsity champion on the line. Albany entered the game undefeated in conference play, while the Bulldogs were 8-1.

"The team was really fired up and focused for this challenge," said coach Dave Randgaard. "We knew we didn't shoot the ball well in the first game and thought we could beat them."

The game was tied at 10-10 after the first quarter, 20-20 at halftime, and 26-26 after three quarters, but the Huskies outscored the Dogs 19-10 in the last quarter and won 45-36. "In the fourth quarter, we turned the ball over too much against their pressure defense, which led to Albany scoring some easy baskets," said Randgaard.

The Bulldogs junior varsity team finished their season with an overall record of 15-5, including 8-2 in the conference.

"This is the best overall team that I have coached in girls' basketball," said Randgaard. "They play outstanding defense and shoot the ball very well. These girls were really fun to coach and have the potential to excel at the varsity level. The key will be if this team works hard in the offseason to improve their skills," said Randgaard. "Fun to watch, girls!"



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