Britton-Hecla came out on the short end of three contests played in the past week, falling to Waverly-South Shore 47-46 on Monday, Warner 43-31 on Friday, and Clark-Willow Lake 64-24 last week Tuesday.
The Lady Braves took a 4-14 record into a game with Hamlin last night Tuesday, will finish regular season play at Groton Area on Friday in a doubleheader with the boys’ squad (JV girls, C boys 4 p.m., JV boys 5 p.m., varsity girls, varsity boys to follow), and will open Region 1A action on Tuesday.
Regional pairings based on power points through Monday contests would match second-seeded Groton Area (13-6) against seventh-seed Britton-Hecla (4-14) in Groton, third seed Milbank (14-4) would host number six Redfield (4-14), and fourth seed Sisseton (7-10) would host fifth seed Webster Area (7-12).
Top seeded Aberdeen Roncalli (14-4) will host the Sisseton-Webster Area winner on Thursday, and the other two first round winners will meet in the other semifinal to determine SoDak 16 qualfiers.
The Lady Braves did suffer some injuries against Waverly-South Shore that could haunt them heading into the playoffs. Paityn Erickson inured her back and Koryn Jones has an ankle injury.
Nelson thinks his club is capable of an upset in regional play.
“We have to play our best, get hotter than heck, and be a track team getting up and down the floor, but that’s why you play those postseason games,” stressed Nelson.
Waverly-South Shore 47
Britton-Hecla 46
Britton-Hecla’s fourth quarter rally fell just short against Waverly-South Shore.
The Lady Braves trailed by five after three quarters and ralliled to lead by three with a minute to play, but the hosts banked in a shot with just over two seconds left for the one-point win.
B-H was missing the services of Paityn Erickson, Koryn Jones, and Karlie Zuehlke for part of the final period due to injuries.
Chellon Pruitt led B-H with 16 points and a whopping 26 rebounds. Maddi Micko added 13 counters and six assists, Karlie Zuehlke grabbed 14 missed shots, and Daynika Zuehlke had 10 boards and seven assists.
The Lady Braves had three more field goals than Waverly-South Shore but were just 2-12 from the charity stripe.
Warner 43
Britton-Hecla 31
The Lady Braves had an 11-5 Warner team on the ropes for a half, leading by eight at intermission, but was outscored 29-9 in the second half.
Warner led 8-5 with just over two minutes left in the opening quarter but Koryn Jones hit a pair of free tosses and Chellon Pruitt hit back-to-back fielders for an 11-10 lead at the break.
Pruitt opened the second period with two free tosses, hit two straight buckets again, and Daynika Zuehlke capped a 15-3 run with a trey from the top of the key to put the Lady Braves up 20-11 on the way to a 22-14 lead at the half.
The second half was a different story. Daynika Zuehlke opened the third period with a free throw but Warner responded with 16 straight points. Tiana Tank broke a six-minute scoreless streak with a three-point play but the Lady Braves trailed 30-26 after three stanzas.
Warner went on another run to take charge in the fourth period, scoring 12 straight. Britton-Hecla didn’t get on the board until Maddi Micko managed a three-pointer with just 39 seconds remaining in the contest.
Pruitt led B-H with 14 points and 13 rebounds. Karlie Zuehlke added 10 boards, and Daynika Zuehlke had six assists and seven steals.
Clark-Willow Lake 64
Britton-Hecla 24
Clark-Willow Lake jumped out to a 15-1 lead after one quarter and padded that margin the rest of the way.
Paityn Erickson led the Lady Braves with six points and Chellon Pruitt ghad five oints and seven rebounds. Daynika Zuehlke added four assists.
FOR FULL STATS SEE THIS WEEK'S JOURNAL
