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MCDONALD'S GAME OF THE WEEK (Girls Basketball): Black Hawk 61, Argyle 59
Streaks alive! Warriors rally for Coach Holland’s first win
Haldiman
Sophomore Kendra Haldiman scored 13 points in Black Hawks' 61–59 Six Rivers East victory over Argyle last Friday night.

MCDONALD'S SWNEWS4U.COM GAME OF THE WEEK (Dec. 1–8)
GIRLS BASKETBALL: Black Hawk 61, Argyle 59

By Tom Gunnell, Republican Journal

SOUTH WAYNE — Black Hawk’s Six Rivers East winning streak will come to an end some day. However, the Warriors will not give it up without a fight.

Coach Cora Holland’s Warriors got quite a fight from former Warrior standout Jen Wellnitz’s Argyle Orioles in Friday's Six River East season opener at Black Hawk High School. In the end, the Warriors were able to hold off the Orioles, 61-59, to extend their league winning streak to 59 games and earn Coach Holland’s first-ever varsity victory.

“It was beyond exciting to get my first win as a head coach, and an honor to get it with Coach Flanagan by my side. It has been a dream come true to learn from him and have him has a mentor. The icing on the cake was my first win,” said Holland. “As exciting as it was for me though, I am thrilled for my players. This year has been a year of change, and there are going to be growing pains. However, they have stepped up and have been working really hard. They got their first win, and I’m proud of them. It was well deserved.” 

Argyle senior guard Alyssa Stadola buried a 3-pointer with 20 seconds remaining to put the Orioles into the lead for the first time in the second half at 59-58, but the Warriors answered right back with sophomore Kendra Haldiman scoring a putback off her own miss to put the hosts back in front to stay at 60-59.

A charge call wiped out Maggie Godfrey’s potential game-winner with seven seconds to play, and then senior Tatum Baumgartner sank a late free throw to seal the Warriors’ thrilling 61-59 decision.

The teams went back-and-forth with one another throughout the night. The lead swapped hands six times in the first half alone with the Warriors using a late 10-3 scoring run to build up a 25-19 halftime lead.

Black Hawk extended their advantage to as many as 15 points midway through the second half following back-to-back baskets by junior Raylin Peterson that put the Warriors ahead 52-37.

But, the Orioles were quite done. Godfrey scored on three straight possessions to cap a 19-4 run that brought Argyle back to even with the Warriors at 56-56 with 40 seconds remaining, however the hosts would go on to win behind Haldiman's late-game heroics.

Junior Tara Wellnitz– the younger sister of Argyle coach Jen Wellnitz– finished with a double-double netting a career-high 16 points and pulling down a team-high 13 rebounds to go along with a team-high four assists to lead her Warriors over her sister’s team.

Peterson followed with 14 points and eight rebounds for the Warriors, while Haldiman scored a career-high 13 points with two 3-pointers, five rebounds and two assists and Baumgartner chipped in with a career-high 11 points along with three steals and three assists.

“One of the keys to our win was definitely our scoring balance. Argyle came out and applied a lot of pressure on Raylin and Tara. We were ready for this and we will expect it from a lot of teams going forward. However, that pressure on them allowed some of other players, like Tatum, who had a huge game for us, and Kendra, to really step up for the team,” noted Holland.

“We also had girls come off the bench and give us really solid minutes. Jaliyah Collins was great off the glass for us, and Maddy Lange, who is just a freshman, came out with a key scoring drive and a couple of rebounds. She is someone I can always count on to work hard.” 

Godfrey led all scorers with 19 points for Argyle. Stadola sank four treys on her way to a career-high 17 points and fellow senior Grace Ganshert added 17 points for the Orioles.

The Warriors are scheduled to host Albany in Six Rivers East play on Thursday, Dec. 9, and the Warriors have non-conference games at Platteville on Monday, Dec. 13, and at home against Dodgeville on Tuesday, Dec. 14.

 

Argyle………… 19  40 – 59
Black Hawk….. 25  36 – 61
Argyle – Ganshert 17, Wiegel 1, Leigh 3, Stadola 17, Godfrey 19, Allison 2. Totals – 19  15-24  59.
Black Hawk – Tatum Baugartner 11, Raylin Peterson 14, Kendra Haldiman 13, Tara Wellnitz 16, Maddy Lange 2, McKenzie Quinn 3, Jaliyah Collins 2. Totals – 26  6-14  61.
3-point goals– A 6 (Leigh 1, Stadola 4, Godfrey 1), BH 3 (Haldiman 2, Quinn 1). Total fouls– A 17, BH 18. Fouled out– None.