CUBA CITY – Cuba City kept hold of the spot atop the SWAL standings by swarming all over Southwestern en route to a 72-16 victory in prep girls’ basketball action at CCHS on Thursday, Jan. 5.
The Lady Cubans (8-2 overall, 5-0 SWAL) set a frantic pace of play from the opening tip, stunning the Wildcats (1-9, 1-4) by rushing out to a 20-3 lead less than six minutes into the game.
All five Cuban starters scored during the run led by sophomore guards Courtney Busch and Elizabeth Misky with five points apiece. Southwestern senior Chloe Riniker’s 3-pointer at the 14:00 mark was the lone points for the guests in the first six minutes of play.
“The idea was to keep the speed of the game going fast. I liked our transition game. I thought we kept the pace up pretty well,” said Cuba City head coach Jeff Pustina. “We wanted this type of game. The kids did a great job.”
The Cubans kept up the offensive onslaught for the rest of the first half to build up a 43-12 halftime advantage, and they began the second half with 12 unanswered points to increase their lead to 55-12 with 15:03 remaining in the game.
The Cubans pushed the lead to 50 by the midpoint of the half and closed the game with an 8-0 run to cruise to their third straight win. Nine different players scored for the hosts during their 29-4 second-half scoring spree.
“I was really proud of our defensive effort tonight. We were pretty technique-sound, yet we were physical. We finished off possessions very well,” stated Pustina.
Senior Morgan Vosberg led four Cubans in double figures with 17 points. Junior Megan Hartl chipped in with a career-best 14 points, while Busch and freshman forward Kiera Holzemer tallied 10 points apiece in the victory. Misky finished with nine points.
Riniker led the Wildcats with five points, while sophomore Kailee Kaiser netted four points for the guests.
The Cubans’ non-conference game at Lancaster on Tuesday, Jan. 3, was postponed. No make-up date was announced at press time. Cuba City will host defending SWAL champion Mineral Point (4-0 SWAL) on Friday, Jan. 13, with sole possession of first-place in the league on the line; and they will remain at home to face Dodgeville in non-conference action on Monday, Jan. 16.
Southwestern also has two upcoming home games against Boscobel on Friday, Jan. 13, in SWAL action, and against Clayton Ridge (Iowa), on Saturday, Jan. 14, starting at 4 p.m.
Southwestern…… 12 4 – 16
Cuba City………… 43 29 – 72
Southwestern – Allison Kruser 3, Kailee Kaiser 4, Julia Barnes 2, Chloe Riniker 5, Abby Budden 2. Totals – 7 1-5 16.
Cuba City – Morgan Vosberg 17, Elizabeth Misky 9, Megan Hartl 14, Parker Kopp 4, Courtney Busch 10, Kiera Holzemer 10, Sophia Sander 2, Jadyn Resse 1, Maddie Busch 2, Jenna Droessler 3. Totals – 25 16-21 72.
3-point goals– S 1 (Riniker 1), CC 6 (Vosberg 1, Misky 1, Hartl 1, C. Busch 2, Droessler 1). Total fouls– S 14, CC 13. Fouled out– none.
