Game 105: Quincy Notre Dame vs. Nashville (Girl's Basketball)

Game 105
(2/26/10)
Quincy Notre Dame vs. Nashville (Girl's Basketball)
IHSA Class 2A Semifinal

When asked who I thought would win this matchup, I had a hard time picking. After mulling it over, I threw out a QND win by two points. What impressed me the most about Nashville was their 10-point win over Edwardsville (ranked #3 in Class 4A at the time) in January. This was also an Edwardsville team that I had just watched the night before move on to a Class 4A Supersectional. However, I have seen Quincy Notre Dame a couple times this year, and they have a very well-rounded club with a player that can change a game, in Karlee Gengenbacher.

As expected, these two teams battled from the onset. The game changer for QND struck, as Gengenbacher scored all eight first quarter points for the Raiders. She struggled at the free throw line, shooting just (1-4), while also knocking down a three-pointer. Nashville's Jennifer Moeller scored four points and we were all tied up after the first quarter, 8-8.

Both teams brought a very large crowd to Redbird Arena. Scanning the stands, it looked about even. Both school's had their boy's basketball teams playing for Regional Championships on this night. Nashville fell to Breese Central in their regional title game, 24-20. Quincy Notre Dame beat Illini West by ten points to advance to the sectionals.

The teams battled back-and-forth through the second quarter, each scoring nine points. Gengenbacher was held scoreless in the frame, but her younger sister (freshman) Kassidy Gengenbacher nailed a three-pointer. Kassidy is one of two freshman starters at Quincy Notre Dame, along with (6'0") Jordan Frericks. Claire Obert also knocked down a three for the Raiders. Scoring for Nashville was spread out, with Melanie Rhine, Annie Borowiak, Kourtney Heggemeier, and Jennifer Moeller all hitting field goals.

The Hornettes roster was filled with some tongue twisters. At the end of this blog, I will give you my Class 1A and Class 2A All-Name starting five. For Nashville, I give you Paige Schwartzkopf, Annie Borowiak (Buh-row-ee-ak), Keisha Setzkorn (Sets-corn), Kourtney Heggemeier (Heg-uh-myer), and Shay Harre (Harr-ee).

Jordan Frericks came alive offensively in the third quarter, sparking the Raiders to a 10-6 run in the quarter. Frericks scored 9 of those 10 points, going (3-4) from the charity stripe. The teams traded baskets, but QND came out in the end by six points (39-33).

Leading the way for Nashville was Melanie Rhine with (11 points, 3 rebounds, 2 steals). Kourtney Heggemeier added (5 points, 9 rebounds). Quincy Notre Dame was led by Karlee Gengenbacher (14 points, 4 rebounds, 2 steals). Jordan Frericks added (9 points, 7 rebounds, 3 steals). Fellow freshman Kassidy Gengenbacher added (7 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals).

After the game, I packed up all of the equipment, and headed out of Redbird Arena. I opted against eating ANOTHER fast food dinner, and did have a late lunch at about 4:00, so I enjoyed a package of chocolate donuts I had planned one eating for breakfast that morning. I headed back to the hotel and started writing blogs and getting day two notes prepared. Without further ado, the IHSSN All-Name Teams.

Class 1A All-Name Team
Tess Godhardt (God-Hart) (Hinckley-Big Rock)
Brittany Zenge (Zang) (Jacksonville Routt)
Marina Nuckles (Muh-reen-uh, Nuck-els) (Ridgewood)
Annie Gelaude (Guh-lawd-ee) (Ridgewood)
Bailey Doty (Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City)

Class 2A All-Name Team
Karlee Gengenbacher (Gen-gen-bock-er) (Quincy Notre Dame)
Keisha Setzkorn (Sets-corn) (Nashville)
Shaye Harre (Harr-ee) (Nashville)
Belinda Schaafsma (Scoffs-muh) (Bishop McNamara)
Emily Olszewski (Oh-sheff-skee) (Bishop McNamara)

The Quest File Notes
Game 105
Date: 2/26/10
Result: Quincy Notre Dame outlasts Nashville, 39-33 advancing to state title game
Miles: 0