Game 27: Brimfield vs. Wethersfield (Girl's Basketball)

Game 27
(12/14/09)
Brimfield vs. Wethersfield
Knoxville-Abingdon Tournament (@ Knoxville)

A doubleheader of girl's basketball on IHSSN.net. First up, the Class 1A (#2) Brimfield Lady Indians (9-1) against the Wethersfield Flying Geese (3-7). After an afternoon shivvering in the elements for WMOI's "Freezing for Food" campaign, a warm ride to Knoxville felt nice.

I arrived at Jensen Gymnasium shortly after the Brimfield bus dropped off the Lady Indians basketball team at the front door. Knoxville Athletic Director Chad Bahnks had a spot reserved in the near corner of the gym for the night's broadcasts.

Had a conversation with Brimfield head coach Jim Blane, catching up about his team through their first ten games. He brings back the entire roster from last year's squad that went (34-3) and finished 4th in Class 1A. The team boasts (6'3" Sr. Center) Paige Spietz who has signed to play at Missouri and Kelsey Herridge, who will play at Army. Coach Blane also talked about the possibility of a new high school being built in Brimfield, if the referendum passes. The Lady Indians currently play their games in the Brimfield Junior High, as there is no high school gym.

In the meantime, the Wethersfield team arrived, so I spoke with head coach Laurie Steger for a few minutes. Her team is very young with just two seniors on the roster. Their top player is Laurie's daughter, Shelby, averaging 15 points/game.

At 6:00, the teams tip off. Wethersfield starts one senior (Ali Stern), one junior (Shelby Steger), two sophomores (Kayla Bennett & Becca Mahnesmith), and a freshman (Margaret Thomson), while Brimfield boasts an all-senior starting lineup (Paige Spietz, Kelsey Herridge, Brycie Courter, Jacki McKown, and Nicole Clevenger).

Brimfield jumps all over the Geese, leading 26-9 after one quarter. Brimfield's Brycie Courter drops a pair of three's, and Paige Spietz gets a few nice looks down low for six points in the opening frame. Brimfield's pressure defense is forcing Wethersfield into many mistakes.

At halftime, the Lady Indians lead 44-18 behind a balanced scoring attack. Brimfield continutes to give Wethersfield fits in the second half, outscoring the Geese 16-13 in the third quarter, and both teams slow things down in the final frame.

Brimfield comes out victorious with a running clock throughout most of the fourth quarter, winning 67-35. Kelsey Herridge leads all scorers with 15 points, while Paige Spietz and Brycie Courter add 13 points a piece. Wethersfield gets 10 points from freshman Margaret Thomson, and eight points from Shelby Steger.

Jim Blane came and talked with us following the win. We discussed the many weapons on offense, utilizing a deeper bench this year, and the tough conference schedule this season in the Prairieland.

The Quest File Notes
Game 27
Date: 12/14/09
Result: Brimfield is too much for Wethersfield, winning 67-35
Miles: 120