By NATE BEIER | For the County Line
For the first time since December 2018, the Royall girls basketball team dropped back-to-back games.
The Lady Panthers lost a narrow 44–40 contest at Cashton on Jan. 16, and then fell 42–36 at Westby on Monday night.
In last week’s game with Cashton, Royall had the opportunity to move into a tie for second place in the Scenic Bluffs. The Eagles entered the game undefeated in league play, while Royall had just a single SBC loss.
Cashton jumped out to a lead early on and controlled the tempo to begin with. By halftime, however, Royall made its disadvantage manageable, trailing 20–16. But the Panthers fell behind again early in the second half before coming back to threaten the Eagles’ lead. In the end, Cashton defense limited the Panthers’ scoring opportunities to win 44–40.
Emma Gruen led all scorers with 18. Gruen was 5–13 from the floor and 8–10 in free throws. Cheyenne Harris added 7 points after collecting a 3-pointer, a field goal and two free throws. Jessica Brueggeman and Madeline Wainwright combined for 8 points.
Brueggeman and Gruen each had nine rebounds, and Brueggeman and Tenley Wopat each had two assists.
Cashton’s Hailey Huntzicker led the way with 15 points for the Eagles. Brianna Wanek and Braylee Hyatt each scored 6. The team’s leading scorer and the reigning conference player of the year, Adelynn Hyatt, was held to just 5 points by Royall’s defense.
Westby 42, Royall 36
Royall worked to a 1-point advantage in the first half at Westby on Jan. 20, but couldn’t stop the Norsemen in the second, falling 42–36.
Emma Gruen led the Panthers with 11 points, and Madeline Wainwright added 7.
Westby’s Grace Hebel led all scorers with 17.
Royall is 8–3 on the season and 4–2 in league play. The Panthers will travel to Necedah (8–5, 3–3) on Friday evening.
Bangor 58, Brookwood 25
Stifling defense by visiting Bangor doomed Brookwood in a 58–25 loss on Jan. 16.
The Falcons were held to just 10 points in the first half, with Noemi Nicolas being the only player to score multiple baskets. Nicolas added two more field goals and a free throw in the second half, ending with a team-high 9 points. Daisy Hansen added 5; and Hailey Schueller, 4, in the loss.
Bangor’s Karsen Kershner ended with 18 points on the night, while teammate Andrea Olson added 12.
Brookwood travels to Cashton on Friday to face off with the Eagles.