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One quarter enough for RC
Collins nets 27 as Hornets open with 71-55 win over La Crosse Central
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Hornet Kelsey Collins, who had 27 points in the season opener, is challenged by a La Crosse Central defender.

    The Richland Center Hornets used a 30-point second quarter to break away from the La Crosse Central Red Raiders enroute to a 71-55 victory here at the RCHS fieldhouse Tuesday night.
    In the Hornets’ season opener senior guard Kelsey Collins tossed in a game high 27 points while fellow seniors Emily Anderson and Kelsey Deets contributed 12 and 11 respectively.
    Coach Steve Board, who was not happy with the Hornets’ performance in a multi-school scrimmage Saturday, said, “We were better tonight in the second quarter. We still had too many fouls and defensive lapses. We have a lot of things to work on.”
    The Hornets sizzled in the second quarter as they broke from a 17-10 lead to a 47-25 halftime lead when Emily Schauf scored at the buzzer. The Hornets hit nine of 14 field goal attempts including four of seven triple attempts. They also converted eight of eight free throws.
    The Hornets enjoyed a 53-32 lead before enduring a cold spell. Central closed within 58-43 as the Hornets finished the third quarter on a one of 12 streak. The Red Raiders drew within 58-45 early in the fourth quarter but no closer. Collins had the answers – nine of them - for the Hornets in the clutch. She connected twice early in the period and then added another and two free throws after the Hornets went to their delay game.
    The Hornets made 22 of 56 shots (39.2 percent) and 20 of 23 from the foul line.  Central was 17 of 46 (36.9 percent) from the field and 21 of 30 from the foul line.
    The Hornets committed 13 turnovers while Central had 19 including 14 in the first half.
    In addition to Collins, Anderson, and Deets, Kylea Schultz scored seven points, Mckenzie Wilson six, Kelley Lynch four, Abbey Beranek two and Emily Schauf two.
    Kerstin Gruntzel led Central with 14 including 11 in the second half. Brittany Baldwin scored 10, Sabrina Aspenson nine, Katie Hanson seven, Makenzie Becker seven, Molly Wichelt four, Ashley Athos two and Sarah Nickelatti two.
    The Hornets’ next action will be Tuesday, Dec. 6, at Cuba City.