By NATE BEIER | For the County Line
A balanced scoring effort and strong defense helped Royall end a four-game losing streak Monday at Weston.
The Panthers not only ended the skid, but kicked off the final week of the regular season — a week that includes two more opponents that the Panthers defeated earlier in the season, New Lisbon and Wonewoc-Center.
The Panthers host La Farge at 6 p.m. Thursday and will travel to Wonewoc-Center on Friday for their final regular-season game.
The Panthers narrowly missed the chance at a home playoff game when the WIAA Division 5 tournament starts next week, as they received the ninth seed and will travel to eighth-seeded Elmwood/Plum City for the first round of play.
Westby 50, Royall 47
Traveling to Westby for a nonconference game Feb. 6, the Panthers put together one of their strongest efforts of the season.
The home team never completely put Royall away, as the visiting Panthers continued to chew away at any deficit they faced before ultimately falling 50–47.
McKenzie Baeseman put in 16 to lead the way, while fellow senior Emily Olson added 14 and Cheyenne Harris offered 10.
Westby’s Grace Hebel scored 14.
Brookwood 72, Royall 37
It was just a 10-point hole at halftime, but the Falcons put Royall away after outscoring them by 25 points in the second half, leading to the 35-point win Feb. 8.
Baeseman led the team with 10, while Tenley Wopat added 7 and Jessica Brueggeman and Madeline Wainwright each added 4.
Brookwood’s Allyson Nelson finished with 26 points and 22 rebounds.
Royall 43, Weston 13
Baeseman led a balanced scoring effort when Royall gave Weston a loss Monday night in nonconference play.
The senior finished with 11 total points and 12 rebounds as the Panthers ended a four-game losing streak and improved to 3–4 in nonconference action.
Olson added 7 points, Brueggeman had 6 and Molly Olson had 5.
Emma Gruen finished with four steals, and Wainwright had three.