MIFFLIN — Freshman Olivia Liddicoat is a welcome addition for the Iowa–Grant girls basketball team.
The freshman sensation has teamed with older sister Emma Liddicoat, a two-time first-team All–SWAL performer, to give the Panthers a dynamic one-two punch.
Last Monday, Olivia poured in a game-high 28 points — quite the debut — and Emma added 19 to lead Iowa–Grant to a 60–31 non-conference victory over visiting Highland in the season opener for both teams.
This Monday night, the Liddicoats lit up the visiting Potosi Chieftains to guide coach Craig Jenkins’ Panthers to a 54–47 victory and a 2–0 start.
Olivia scored 14 of her 15 points in the first half, including a 23-foot 3-pointer just before the buzzer to close a 5–0 run and give I–G a 28–26 lead heading into halftime. Emma was the closer, scoring 14 of her team-high 19 points in the second half.
Junior scoring machine Abby Kaiser poured in a game-high 25 points to go along with 10 rebounds, four steals and three assists to lead Potosi, but it wasn’t quite enough.
The Chieftains briefly regained the lead early in the second half, but Emma Liddicoat continually attacked the basket as the Panthers built a 44–34 advantage with just under 10 minutes left in the game. Potosi cut the lead to four on two occasions, but got no closer.
Senior Kassidy Schroeder chipped in seven points and senior Maddie Harmening added five for the Panthers.
Last Tuesday, Kaiser scored a career-high 32 points, had eight boards and eight steals in a 68–52 win over Wauzkea–Steuben. She is averaging 26.7 points, 8.3 rebounds, 8.3 steals and four assists through three games for the Chieftains (2–1).
Kaiser posted 23 points, 13 steals, seven rebounds and six assists in a season-opening win over De Soto on Nov. 17.
Langkamp finished with 15 points and six rebounds in Tuesday’s win over Wauzeka–Stueben, while senior point guard Brooke McKillip chipped in 13 points, five assists and two steals.
Potosi traveled to Lancaster Tuesday night and will next open conference play at Highland on Thursday, Dec. 8.
Iowa-Grant 60, Highland 31
(from Monday, Nov. 21 @ Iowa–Grant)
Highland 18 13 — 31
Iowa–Grant 28 32 — 60
Highland (0–1) — J. Kosharek 2, C. Kosharek 4, Esser 11, M. Kosharek 13, Ma. Drury 1. Totals – 10 11-14 32.
Iowa–Grant (1–0) — Kassidy Schroeder 5, Olivia Liddicoat 28, Maddie Harmening 4, Emma Liddicoat 19, Jeni Rule 4. Totals – 26 5-15 60.
3-point goals — H: 0; IG: 2 (O. Liddicoat 2, Schroeder 1). Total fouls — H: 13, IG: 16. Fouled out — none.
Potosi 68, Wauzeka–Steuben 52
(from Tuesday, Nov. 22 @ Potosi)
Wauzeka–Steuben 33 19 — 52
Potosi 38 30 — 68
Wauzeka–Steuben (0–1) — Siena Krachey 4, Tatem Baures 7, Haley Atkinson 10, Molly Heisz 7, Allison Oswold 7, Erin Krachey 7, Jordan Mormann 8, Nellie Groom 2. Totals – 19 8-22 52.
Potosi (2–0) — Abby Kaiser 32, Brittany Horner 2, Brooke McKillip 13, Sophie Langkamp 15, Hannah Udelhoven 6. Totals — 22 18-32 68.
3-point goals — W/S: 6 (S. Kracey 1, Bareus 1, Atkinson 2, Heisz 1, E. Kracey 1); P: 2 (Langkamp 1, Udelhoven 1). Team fouls — W/S: 25; P: 22. Fouled out — W/S: Heisz; P: Langkamp.
Iowa–Grant 54, Potosi 47
(from Monday, Nov. 28 @ Iowa–Grant)
Potosi 26 21 — 47
Iowa–Grant 28 26 — 54
Potosi (2–1) — Abby Kaiser 25, Brittany Horner 2, Brooke McKillip 3, Sophie Langkamp 11, Hannah Udelhoven 6. Totals — 17 10-21 47.
Iowa–Grant (2–0) — Kassidy Schroeder 7, Olivia Liddicoat 15, Maddie Harmening 5, Emma Liddicoat 19, Sydney Lundell 2, Carley Rider 4, Jeni Rule 2. Totals – 23 5-14 54.
3-point goals — P: 1 (Udelhoven 1); IG: 3 (O. Liddicoat 2, E. Liddicoat 2). Team fouls — P: 14, IG: 18. Fouled out — none.
