DSHA beats Central, takes over share of first
DSHA beats Central, takes over share of first
DSHA senior Kelly Brandenburg shoots between Central's Kate Sandstrom (31) and Maggie Mattiacci in the Dashers' 41-35 victory over host Brookfield Central on Friday. Photo By Al Herzberg
One team came to play Friday, and one team didn't. As a result, the Brookfield Central girls basketball team (7-1) now shares first place with Divine Savior Holy Angels (7-1), and West Allis Central (7-2) is only one-half game behind.
The Lady Lancers, who beat the Dashers in the conference opener Dec. 11 at DSHA, were taken out of their game by DSHA and dropped a 41-35 decision.
"We're definitely going to take this game as momentum," said Dasher Kelly Brandenburg, a Brookfield resident. "We hope we can play like this against every other team. Hopefully we can do our best in the upcoming games. The whole season is from here on out."
DSHA coach Scott Witt also summed up the rest of the season.
"This really makes every game the rest of the way a conference championship game for us, for Brook Central, for West Allis Central," Witt said. "All these teams feel they now control their own destiny. We've really been in that mode ever since we lost that first game to Brook Central. We knew one more loss, we were probably done.
"We haven't really accomplished anything at this point. We're tied for first place; we have a lot of tough games left to play. Brookfield Central has just as much chance to be conference champs as we do."
Central gives up too much
Disappointed Central coach Dan Wandrey agreed with Witt's assessment.
"Would I rather be sitting here with a two-game lead? Obviously," he said. "But either way it wasn't going to be over. West Allis Central is good. Sussex Hamilton is good. Anytime we play Brookfield East that's always a battle. If we play like (we did tonight), we won't even get a share."
As usual when these teams play, defense prevails. This time the Dashers outscored Central in the first (9-5) and second quarters (10-8) to take a 19-13 lead at intermission.
The difference at halftime was two 3-pointers by an unguarded Christina Kurcz, who finished with 12 points, nine coming on three treys.
"We gave up offensive rebounds at times; we gave up things we couldn't give up - like 3-point shots to their best 3-point shooter," Wandrey said. "Like literally, she didn't have to move. We let her line it up and drill it. How many points did she score in the first game? Zero. It's a tie game at half if we guard her."
DSHA takes it home
Erin Levenhagen sank a 3-pointer and Brandenburg scored on a rebound for DSHA in the third quarter. Jesse Thomas, who was shut down for most of the night, dropped in two free throws and a rebound basket to provide all of Central's scoring as the Dashers had a 5-4 third-period advantage.
Both teams then exploded for 35 points in the final period, with Central having an 18-17 advantage.
The game was pretty much put away at the start of the fourth quarter. Elizabeth Linnemanstons hit a jumper, Levenhagen added two free throws and Kurcz drained her final 3-pointer to give DSHA a 14-point lead at 31-17.
"I think our girls did a great job," Witt said. "Brookfield Central has a great system and everyone knows their role. We came into this game and we wanted to make their players uncomfortable a little bit, try to make them do something outside their comfort zone. That is what we started with. I don't think they (the Lancers) really got into a groove.
"One of the things we always talk about was when you play a team like Brook Central you don't want to play from behind because they are so well-coached, so disciplined. If you fall behind them you are really kind of at their mercy."
Wandrey gave DSHA their due afterward, but he was disappointed in his team's performance.
"They (DSHA) deserve some credit. We know that they are good.
"I don't think that's the best we can show. I sure hope not."
CENTRAL'S OTHER GAME
Brookfield Central 58
at Wauwatosa East 32
Jan. 26
The Lady Lancers went on an 18-5 run in the third period and blew away the Red Raiders, 58-32, in BC's first game last week. Central's defense was outstanding, only allowing seven, nine and five points in each of the first three quarters. Jesse Thomas scored 15 points as nine players got on the scoreboard. Central only managed to sink eight of 15 free throws in the game, however.
UP NEXT: Friday, Sussex Hamilton at home; Tuesday at Rufus King; both games at 7:30 p.m.
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