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PREP GIRLS BASKETBALL: TMB gets tripped up by Hayfield, 66-45

Photo by Emily Daniels TMB’s Catherine Wendland goes in for the layup during their game against Hayfield on Saturday. The Panthers fell to the Vikings 66-45.

TRACY – The Tracy-Milroy-Balaton girls basketball team gave a spirited effort against the No. 3 ranked team in Class A in the Hayfield Vikings, but couldn’t muster enough on either end of the floor as the Panthers fell 66-45 on Saturday afternoon.

Despite the loss TMB head coach Derek Ashbaugh was pleased with his team’s effort but added they took some risks on defense which cost them.

“I think on both ends of the floor we have to be more disciplined. Offensively we got a little bit impatient for a while and after our first half, we were able to get good shots they just weren’t making it in,” said Ashbaugh. “Defensively, I think we took some gambles and risks and that ended up hurting us a little bit because we gave up easy baskets, there are a couple things we can tweak and fix going forward.”

It was a tight game to start, as TMB held an early 6-5 lead with both teams moving the ball efficiently down the court. The Panthers and Vikings didn’t hold anything back, continuing to exchange the lead back and forth, until Hayfield found its groove on offense and took a small lead over the Panthers at 16-13. Fighting back on offense, the Panthers didn’t let the Vikings lead bring them down, taking every shot opportunity that came their way.

Hayfield continued to hold TMB at bay throughout the next few minutes, going on an 11-3 run to take a 27-16 lead before Evelyn Dolan stopped the bleeding with a basket. The Panthers then countered with a run of their own with five minutes left to play in the half, going on an eight-point streak to cut it to one at 31-30, but the Vikings would go into the locker rooms with a 35-30 lead.

The second half didn’t start the way that the Panthers had hoped, coming in uncontrolled on defense and drew unnecessary fouls. Kaylee Kirk was the first to put points on the board in the half for the Panthers, leading the way for TMB’s offense. But the Panthers couldn’t maintain a steady pace on offense, as a few miscommunicated plays created turnovers and points on the other end for the Vikings.

Despite their struggles on offense, the Panthers continued to test Hayfield’s offense with their defensive presence. Sydney Lanoue put one up to bring TMB back into the game but the Panthers still trailed 56-39, and Hayfield continued to hold the Panthers en route to the 66-45 win.

Dolan led the Panthers with 13 points, followed by Kirk with 12 and Lanoue with 11. Kirk also went six for six on the free-throw line.

The Panthers will return to action on Friday at home against Redwood Valley.

Kirk said she’s excited for the rest of her season with her team, and hopes to accomplish getting to the conference championship game and hopefully a section champion title.

“We’re hoping to get into the conference championship again and hopefully win that,” said Kirk. “We’ve fallen short at the section championship the past two years, and we’re hoping to make it to state, that is our ultimate goal this season.”

Hayfield 37 29-66

TMB 30 15-45

SCORING: TMB 17-46, 37 percent (Dolan 5-14, 3-3 13; Kirk 3-10, 6-6 12; Lanoue 5-8, 1-2 11).

3-POINT FGS: TMB 1-7, 14 percent (Karbo).

REBOUNDS: TMB 23 (Kirk 9; Dolan 6).

ASSISTS: TMB 14 (Dolan 4; Smith, Kirk, Karbo, Lanoue 2).

STEALS: TMB 12 (Kirk, Lanoue, Dolan 3).

BLOCKS: TMB 1 (Smith).