Defense takes over for South

Fargo South kept their perfect conference record intact with a hard fought 50-26 win over West Fargo at the Packer gym on Friday night. It was another tale of two halves for South, as the first half was a complete struggle to get anything going offensively, with more turnovers than field goals, but the second half was a great defensive effort that led to the Bruins pulling away from the Packers for the win. Melanie Hageman got the Bruins going early as she scored on a pair of nice inside post moves, and she was joined by her counterpart Katie Thingelstad who also was able to get loose inside. The Bruins full court pressure did get to the Packers and led to a nice fastbreak layup by Rachel Wagner, and gave South other chances to extend their lead, but the Bruins just couldn't seem to capitalize on the Packer mistakes, making turnovers of their own, or just simply missing short shots that they normally make. Even so, the Bruins led 12-8 at the quarter. The second quarter was much the same. The Bruin defense did a nice job of holding the Packers at bay, but the South offense still couldn't get a run going. Perhaps the most exciting play of the half came on a deflected pass to Thingelstad that bounced high in the air and somehow found the basket for the Bruins, definitely a gift two points for South. An Amber Lenzmeier basket late in the half made the score 20-17 in favor of the Bruins, and the Packers got the ball back with a chance to get closer, but a steal and fastbreak basket by Thingelstad right before the halftime buzzer gave South a 22-17 lead heading into the lockerroom, despite 14 first half turnovers. The third quarter proved to be the clincher for South though. Amy Hannaher, who sat much of the first half with foul trouble, started the second half by knocking down a three pointer, setting the tone early for South. The Bruins played the third quarter like a team leading the conference should. The energy level was high, and that led to a much smoother quarter. Cammi Greenheck picked up her intensity level, and had a very solid second half, getting in the passing lanes, anticipating of defense, hawking the ball, and delivering some nice passing. That energy up front inspired everyone else to pick up their games as well - Joslynn Tharaldson scored on a nice inside basket, Amy Hannaher had a nice strong drive to the hoop, as did Greenheck, Mel Hageman made a pair of freethrows when she was fouled finishing a beautiful fast break opportunity set up by Greenheck and Hannaher, and as the period wound down, the Bruins used a special set to get off a three pointer right before the buzzer ended, and Jenna Lee delivered the shot giving South a commanding 36-21 lead heading into the final period. The only points for West Fargo came on a pair of hoops by Andrea Hummel. The fourth quarter defense for South was just as stingy, while the offense was a total team effort, helped by the fact that the Bruins had only 4 turnovers the entire second half. Six different players scored for South in the final quarter. Thingelstad scored on a nice drive to the hoop, Rachel Wagner hit a long two pointer, and Hannaher and Lee both scored on nice fast break baskets. Meanwhile the South defense allowed only 2 points for most of the last quarter, with a Jen Grund three pointer coming late in the game, giving the Packers only 9 points the entire second half. South was led in scoring by Katie Thingelstad's 12 points, helped out by Mel Hageman's 10. South moves to 14-0 in the EDC, and 14-2 overall. Next action for South is Thursday night in Valley City where they can clinch the EDC title with a win over the Hi-Liners.

See the complete boxscore here

Boxscore:
Fargo South: Sauvageau 0 2-2 2, Greenheck 1 0-0 2, Hageman 4 2-4 10, Lee 2 0-0 5, Hannaher 4 0-0 9, Wagner 3 0-0 6, Thingelstad 5 2-2 12, Tharaldson 1 2-2 4; Totals 20 8-10 50, Three point goals: Hannaher, Lee

West Fargo: Michael-Vance 2 0-0 4, Grund 1 0-0 3, Vetter 2 1-2 5, Lenzmeier 1 0-0 2, Gjestvang 2 0-0 4, Hummel 4 0-0 8; Totals: 12 1-2 26, Three point goals: Grund

Fouled out: none; Total Fouls: South 12, WF 13; Rebounds: South 28(Hageman 9), WF 39(Gjestvang 12), Steals: South 22(Greenheck 6), WF 8, Turnovers: South 18, WF 34; Assists: South 15(Greenheck 4) JV game: South 63 - West Fargo 42, Soph game: South over West Fargo HTML>