Norse buffaloed by Mondovi freshman

The last team to beat the Whitehall girls basketball squad last season was the first team to beat it this season.

The Norse put forth a spirited effort in the second half, scoring 36 points to keep the game close, but had no answer for Mondovi freshman Ava Gray — who scored 24 of her 34 points in the second frame — as they fell 64-59. 

The home loss was Whitehall’s (2-1) first defeat of the season, they were back in action at home on Tuesday of this week, welcoming Eleva-Strum. Whitehall will have another long break before playing at Melrose-Mindoro next Thursday.

Mondovi 64 Whitehall 59

The Norse surged in the second half, but the Buffaloes charged right back.

Whitehall trailed, 27-23, at halftime, but were aggressive in the second half. Aryana Ausderau scored all nine of her points in the second frame and Whitehall got two three points from Haili Sluga, another from Alexis Correa and one from Trinity Aasen as the team scored 36 points in the second frame.

That typically would’ve been enough to overcome the deficit. However, one Buffalo in particular was too much to handle.

Gray scored 24 points in the second half as she knocked down three shots from beyond the three-point line, scored three more baskets from the field and was nine-for-11 from the three-throw line including four straight makes late in the game. Mondovi also got nine points from Amber Lund as it held off Whitehall.

Whitehall had success getting the ball to Olivia Killian in the first half, when the senior scored nine of her 14 points. But Mondovi had more, Gray scored 10 in the first half and Maddy Marten put in 12.

Correa also scored 14 points for Whitehall while Kyla Lambeck added nine, Sluga scored six and both Kelsie Klomsten and Aasen finished with five. 

Mondovi ended Whitehall’s season last year with a 74-48 win in the regional quarterfinal round.