Wicks’ dominant third quarter propels Cyclones to win
In the third quarter of Friday’s home basketball game, the Atlantic Trojans rallied to bring themselves back within three points of the HCHS Cyclones girls basketball team.
Cyclone Head coach Zach Klaassen called a timeout, and when play resumed, Cyclone Junior Addison Wicks scored the next two shots, followed by another two in the fourth quarter, scoring 11 points on the night, helping lead her team to a 44-32 victory.
“It was good,” Wicks said. “I think it boosted a lot of people’s confidence, and I think we did good passing the ball around and helping our teammates find who was open.”
Junior Trojan Makenna Schroeder opened the game with a 3-point shot, followed by a 3-pointer from Senior Cyclone Aubrey Schwieso. Senior Trojan Paytn Harter got her team back in front momentarily with a shot at the basket, but then the Cyclones went on a 13-3 run to close out the quarter leading 16-9.
“You always like to get out on a fast pace and establish a lead going into the second quarter,” Klaassen said. “Our defense was phenomenal tonight.”
In the second quarter, only six points were scored between the two teams, but the Cyclones still led by 11 at halftime.
“The second quarter, they [Atlantic] really shut our water off,” Klaassen added. “They limited Aubrey’s touches, they took Molly [Swensen] away. We got in a situation where we were scared to shoot. If you’re going to be out there, you’ve got to be able to shoot the ball.”
The Trojans opened the third quarter with a 10-2 run forcing a timeout from Klaassen. When play resumed, Wicks knocked down a mid-range shot, along with a 3-pointer, followed by a shot up at the basket from Senior Grace Albertsen as the Cyclone offense turned the tables on Atlantic, leading by nine heading into the final quarter.
“The first half wasn’t so great for me,” Wicks said. “I didn’t feel confident, and then my teammates helped me and told me to keep shooting. I listened to them and it worked out.”
Wicks opened the fourth quarter with a 3-pointer, her second of the game, which was followed by another 3-point shot after Schroeder made back-to-back 3-pointers putting the Trojans back within four points.
The Cyclones hung on for the win, their ninth of the season. They return to the court Monday on the road against the 9-6 Kuemper Catholic Knights, who have won three consecutive games. The Knights are led by Junior Elsa Tiefenthaler averaging 15 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game.
“We’ve got to win out here,” Klaassen said. “We can’t have a hiccup. Monday night, hopefully we get that. I think we have three games a week for the next three weeks. We’ve got to stay healthy. We’ve got to stay out of foul trouble.”
