As the Cubans kicked off the 2011-2012 varsity season, going 6-0 is impressive with such young talent. A loss to a tough Waverly-Shellrock team shouldn't hinder this team's ability to stay competitive. During the annual Wendy's Classic at Loras College on Saturday, the Cubans flip-flopped with the Go-Hawks several times in the second quarter to trail by just two points at the half.
A strong performance by both Sam Steines and Hannah Loeffelholz helped keep the Cubans close for much of the game. During the fourth quarter, the Go-Hawks pulled away and the Cubans were forced to start fouling with just under four minutes to play in the game. The Cubans came within six points, but a fifth foul on Chloe Pustina sat the freshman guard and director of the Cubans offense and the Cubans fell to the co-op team 60-68. Cuba City head coach, Jeff Pustina said he is proud of his team during this game. "It was a good challenge for us," Pustina said. "When I scouted Waverly I thought they were a lot like us. It was a good match up and I really like the way our kids battled throughout the four quarters."
Pustina said this was a game where they tried to put on the offensive pressure. "We tried to execute more offensively than the previous five games and we challenged them to make shots," Pustina said. "It's a tough schedule we have right now and for us to play teams like this is tough. Hopefully we learn from this game."
Steines led the Cubans with 17 points while Loeffelholz added 16. Pustina chipped in with nine points and Kayla Marti had eight.
In SWAL action last week, the Cubans stayed unbeaten with wins over Mineral Point and Boscobel. At Boscobel last Friday night, the Cubans trailed by two in the first quarter but rebounded to outscore the Bulldogs 13-3 in the second quarter to take a 20-12 half time lead. In the third quarter, Cuba City held Boscobel scoreless and increased their lead to 33-12 at the end of the third. Boscobel tried a small comeback in the fourth quarter but couldn't compete with the Cubans defense and the Cubans ended with a 47-24 win.
A very balanced scoring attack was led by Mollie Wedige with nine points while Steines and Pustina added eight points each.
Hosting Mineral Point last Tuesday night, the Cubans walked away with a 54-28 win over the Pointers. Cuba City used a 17-7 first quarter lead to their advantage and held them to just four points in the second quarter to take the 30-11 half-time lead. The Pointers stayed close in the third scoring seven points to the Cubans eight.
Loeffelholz led all scorers with 14 points while Pustina added 11.
The Cubans are back in action tonight hosting Prairie du Chien before taking part in the Cuba City Classic on Dec. 28 and 29. The Cubans will host River Ridge, Ill. on Wednesday at 6:05 p.m. followed by the boys game at 7:40 p.m. The Cubans improve to 6-1 overall and 4-0 in the SWAL.