BELLEVUE, Iowa — The Plattteville girls basketball team suffered a narrow 56–55 non-conference loss at Bellevue Marquette Catholic Thursday night when freshman point guard Josie Nies’ potential game-winner jumper rimmed out at the buzzer.
The Hillmen (6–2) were returning to action after a 10-day layoff between games due to the Dec. 16 SWC game at Prairie du Chien being postponed due to snow.
Thursday’s non-conference game was a back and forth affair throughout. Platteville led 16–10 after one quarter of play (Iowa high school basketball still plays quarters), but Marquette pulled even at the half 22–22 on the strength of s 12–6 second quarter push.
The teams continued to trade basekets into the fourth quarter, as Platteville took a one-point 55–54 lead with under a minute to play on a pull-up jumper by Nies. Marquette (10–1) responded with a basket by Teona Richman on its next possession to regain a 56–55 edge.
Platteville got the ball back with 22 seconds left and junior Skye Digman got a good look, but was not able to convert the potential go-ahead basket. The Hillmen fouled and Marquette gave Platteville one last chance at the win by missing the front end of the bonus with eight seconds left. Nies dribbled the length of the court and got off another good look, but the shot rolled of the rim as the final buzzer sounded.
“The team fought hard in a road environment,” said Platteville head coach Brandon Temperly. “We are not satisfied with the outcome but there are things to build on heading into the holiday break. It’s been 10 days since we competed in a real game due to the weather last week and I think it showed in our play."
Six-foot-1 senior Marissa Schroeder, who is averaging over 20 points per game for the once-beaten Mohawks, scored a game-high 24 points to lead Marquette, which converted 12 of 16 free attempts in the win. Richman finished with 17 points and McKenna Michels added 12 for the winners.
Freshman Izzy Carroll led the Hillmen with 14 points (seven in the fourth quarter), eight rebounds and four steals. Digman added 13 points and nine rebounds, and Nies had 11 points and three assists. Freshman center Sami Martin chipped in 11 points and five boards, and junior Rachel Bailie passed out a team-high seven assists.
“As this team continues to find it’s stride, there will always be bright spots and areas of improvement to take away from games,” added Temperly. “Our team executed well on the offensive side at the end of the game as we got two good looks to take the lead in the closing seconds, we just didn’t make the shots.”
Platteville shot just 36 percent (22 of 61) from the field and 33 percent (5 of 15) from the free throw line.
“I’m proud of the fight in our players and we will continue to work hard and get better every day,” said Temperly.
The Hillmen returned to action at the Candy Cane Classic in Richland Center on Tuesday against Barneveld. They will will now face Living World Lutheran today at 11:15 a.m.
Bellevue Marquette 56, Platteville 55
(from Thursday, Dec. 22 @ Bellevue, Iowa)
Platteville 16 6 16 17 – 55
Marquette 10 12 17 17 – 56
Platteville (6–2) — Josie Nies 11, Brelynn Updike 2, Sami Brookens 2, Becca Hoyer 1, Hanna Langmeier 1, Sami Martin 11, Izzy Carroll 14, Skye Digman 13. Totals — 22 5-15 55.
Bellevue Marquette (10–1) — Annika Frank 2, Marissa Schroeder 24, Alexis Ploessel 1, McKenna Michels 12, Teona Richman 17. Totals – 21 12-16 56.
3-point goals — P: 6 (Nies 3, Carroll 2, Digman 1); BM: 2 (Schroeder 1, Michels 1). Total fouls — P: 18; BM: 17. Fouled out — none.
