By CHARLES SPURLOCK
Special to TopSports.news
Seaman, the top-ranked team in Class 5A, hosted sixth-ranked St. James Academy Tuesday in a contest that had been rescheduled due to the snowstorm earlier this month.
Senior Anna Becker led the way with 20 points as Seaman improved to 9-0 with a 57-44 non-league win over St. James Academy Tuesday night. [File photo/TSN]
Combining a fast start with clutch play down the stretch, the Vikings improved to 9-0 with a 57-44 victory over the Thunder.
Seaman started the game quickly with a flurry of baskets both inside and outside and led 18-8 at the end of the first quarter.
The Thunder responded with a 15-6 run to start the second quarter and cut the lead to 24-23 with 4:20 remaining in the first half. But the Lady Vikes outscored the Thunder 9-3 over the last 3:40, including a buzzer-beating 3-pointer by senior Kinley Wilhelm, to lead 33-26.
The first four minutes of the third quarter went back and forth and Seaman was able to extend its lead by the end of the quarter to 10 points, 45-35.
In the first three minutes of the final quarter, seniors Jaida Stallbaumer and Anna Becker hit two and three-point baskets, respectively, and along with a free throw by sophomore Maddie Gragg, the Lady Vikes led 51-40. The final five minutes of the contest became a battle of free throws and the Lady Vikes won their ninth straight game of the season.
Seaman Matt Tinsley was pleased with his team’s total performance.
“We guarded and played really well defensively,'' Tinsley said. "We controlled the boards, which was an emphasis before the game. Offensively, we moved the ball, kept our composure and got great shots.”
Prior to the game, Tinsley mentioned to the team that this would be a ‘big girl’ game and it would require toughness throughout.
“Ava Esser had some big shots in the third quarter, Kinley Wilhelm was tough on the boards, Maddie Gragg made tough plays and Jaida Stallbaumer had a couple of important drives for baskets in the fourth quarter,'' Tinsley said. "We needed to have a game like this where the girls had to rely on each other to get it done. The game honors toughness and we were tough tonight.”
With only one off day between games, Tinsley said, “We need to get rested up for another tough game on Thursday at DeSoto.”
The Lady Vikes were led in scoring by senior Becker with a game-high 20 points. Stallbaumer was the only other player in double figures with 11 points while Wilhelm led the team with 10 rebounds, Gragg tallied five assists and Becker also had five steals.
The Thunder were led by juniors Regan Becker with 9 points and Elle Robinson had 8 points.
The Lady Vikes will be on the road Thursday night for a conference battle with DeSoto, who the Lady Vikes narrowly defeated 53-50 in the final game before the holiday break.
SEAMAN GIRLS 57 , ST. JAMES ACADEMY 44
St. James Academy 8 18 9 9 44
Seaman 18 15 12 12 57
St. James (5-2)
K. Becker 1-2 1-2 4, Kerwin 3-11 0-0 7, Smith 2-3 0-0 5, Irsik 0-0 0-0 0, Rueger 0-0 1-2 1, Robinson 4-6 0-0 8, Gansen 1-3 0-0 3, Sullivan 3-9 1-2 7, R. Becker 3-11 2-2 9. Totals 17-45 5-8 44.
Seaman (9-0)
Stallbaumer 4-12 2-4 11, Miller 0-0 1-2 1, Beaton 2-4 0-0 5, Becker 6-11 5-8 20, Wilhelm 2-2 2-2 8, Gragg 1-7 4-6 6, Esser 3-5 0-1 6. Totals 18-41 14-23 57.
3 point goals -- St. James 5 (K. Becker, Kerwin, Smith, Gansen, R. Becker), Seaman 7(Becker 3, Wilhelm 2, Stallbaumer, Beaton). Total Fouls -- St. James 20; Seaman 10. Fouled out - none.
