Indees defense suffocates ECI, C-FC

The Independence/Gilmanton girls basketball team has proven to be tough to score on as both Eau Claire Immanuel and Cochrane-Fountain City found out last week.

The Indees shut ECI’s offense down in the closing minutes of a 51-40 win last week Tuesday. On Thursday, I/G held C-FC to just 23 points in the game and 14 percent shooting from the field in a 41-23 win.

The wins put I/G at 19-3 on the season and 15-3 in Dairyland Conference play, still one game ahead of Eleva-Strum in the DC-Large Division. The Indees have a couple of tough games to close out the regular season as the team hosted Blair-Taylor (16-6) on Tuesday and welcomes Whitehall (15-7) on Friday. 

I/G received the top seed in its Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association Division Five bracket, which gave the team a bye in the first round of tournament play. The Indees will host the winner of the game between (9) New Lisbon and (8) Alma/Pepin next Friday with the regional final — to be played in Independence should the Indees win — set for next Saturday. 

I/G 51 ECI 40

The Indees held the Lancers to just six points in the final six minutes to pull away with the win.

Two of ECI’s points came after the outcome of the game was already decided. The game was close as the teams were tied at 29 in the second half and the Lancers scored with about six minutes left to pull within two at 36-34.

The Lancers had a chance to tie the game, but defense turned into offense for I/G. A steal by Arabelle Kniseley became a layup by Nora Schank to give I/G some breathing room. Makiyah Scow made a pair of free throws later then Schank scored another layup in transition to put I/G ahead 42-34 with 4:30 left in the game.

Shauna Dejno answered an ECI basket with four minutes remaining in the game. A couple of free throws brought ECI back within six with three minutes left, but they wouldn’t score again until about 10 seconds were remaining.

Kniseley scored on I/G’s ensuing possession to make it an eight-point game then Sheahan drilled a wide-open three-pointer with two minutes remaining, putting I/G ahead 49-38. 

Dejno scored at the buzzer to give the Indees an 11-point win.

I/G was ahead for most of the game. The team took a 23-20 lead into halftime and the best ECI could do from there was tie the game at 29.

Schank scored 12 points to lead the Indees while both Sheahan and Kniseley had 11.

I/G (field goals/attempts-free throws/attempts-rebounds-fouls-points) — Kent 4/5-0/0-1-0-8 Kniseley 4/11-0/0-6-2-11 Sheahan 4/16-0/0-2-2-11 Schank 5/10-2/5-6-1-12 Dejno 2/3-1/1-5-4-5 Kampa 1/1-0/2-0-4-2 Sylla 0/1-0/2-3-3-0 Scow 0/4-2/2-6-4-2

I/G 41 C-FC 23

After C-FC scored the first five points, the Indees went on a 15-1 run and never looked back.

I/G took the lead on a three-pointer by Sheahan, who drilled the shot while being fouled. After a C-FC free throw tied the game, Schank scored in transition to give I/G the lead again. The Indees got baskets from Dejno, Catherine Kampa and Sheahan to take a 15-6 lead midway through the first half. 

I/G maintained that lead, taking a 21-12 advantage into halftime. The Indees broke the game wide open with a 15-4 run to begin the second half, putting the team ahead 36-16.

Dejno and Schank each scored 12 points to lead the Indees as both made an impact on both ends of the floor. Schank finished with eight steals and Dejno blocked five shots. I/G held C-FC to 14 percent shooting from the field and forced 23 turnovers. Sheahan added 11 points for I/G

I/G (field goals/attempts-free throws/attempts-rebounds-fouls-points) — Kent 0/1-0/0-3-0-0 Halama 0/0-0/0-0-1-0 Kniseley 0/9-0/2-5-2-0 Sheahan 4/13-0/1-7-1-11 Schank 4/7-4/8-7-3-12 T. Sylla 0/0-0/0-1-0-0 Ekern 0/1-0/0-0-1-0 Dejno 5/7-2/2-4-2-12 C. Kampa 1/2-0/0-0-4-2 H. Sylla 0/0-2/4-1-2-2 Scow 1/6-0/1-7-4-2