Posted: Feb. 24, 2009 |(0) Comments

Whitnall

The Falcons avenged their only setback of the Woodland Conference campaign Feb. 17 with a 45-33 victory over Greendale in their final regular-season home game.

Whitnall, which had dropped a 55-46 decision to the Panthers on Jan. 31, held them to just one first-half field goal - and a grand total of eight for the game - in the rematch.

"This was probably our best defensive effort of the year," Whitnall coach Keith Larson said. "We know their perimeter game and how quick they can score, but we really stepped up.

"We also did a nice job against their pressure. We only had 11 turnovers."

Greendale held Whitnall's leading scorer, Keira Al-Mohareb, to a season-low four points, but her teammates came through.

Rachel Wilson had 12 points and four rebounds, Meghan Ernest 12 points, eight rebounds and five steals and Kelly Menden 11 points.

Whitnall put the finishing touch on its second straight Woodland North Division title conquest with a 60-46 win at Cudahy on Feb. 21.

Al-Mohareb rebounded with game highs of 21 points and 17 rebounds for the Falcons, who glided to a 37-17 halftime advantage.

Cudahy needed a 20-8 fourth quarter to pull within the final margin of 14 points.

Wilson had nine points and five assists, Ernest 12 points and five rebounds and Lisa Donaldson three assists and three steals.

"We finished the season on a positive note," Larson said. "I thought it showed our team's ability to focus on the moment, as it has all season.

Whitnall (16-4) met West Allis Hale (6-14) in a WIAA Division-1 regional semifinal Feb. 24. The winner will face Franklin (15-5) or Greenfield (1-18) in a regional final Saturday, Feb. 28, and the survivor of that contest will take on either Brookfield Central (19-1), Brookfield East (8-12) or Racine Park (7-13) in a 6 p.m. sectional semifinal at Greenfield on Friday, March 6.

 

- Mark Hutchinson,

 

Sports Editor

West Allis Hale

The Huskies closed out the regular season on a strong note, downing Menomonee Falls, 52-46, Feb. 19 and Wilmot, 49-43, Feb. 17.

Hale won three of its last four games to finish 3-11 in the Greater Metro Conference and 6-14 overall.

"We are playing team basketball, and our post players have been strong," coach Darren Pitzner said.

Against Falls, Ashley Mettelmann-Berry tallied 17 points, hitting 13 of 14 shots from the line, and six steals. "We were pounding it inside, and when it wasn't there, she was kicking it out for open shots," the coach said.

Emily Grayson hit from outside, connecting for a trio of 3-point goals en route to 14 points. She also hit four of four from the line in the final 2 minutes to seal the Huskies' second victory over Falls this season.

Grayson totaled 16 points, including three more 3-pointers, against Wilmot. Jennifer Wellnitz added 13 points and seven rebounds.

The Huskies took on Whitnall in a WIAA Division 1 regional semifinal Feb. 24. The winner will play either Franklin or Greenfield in a regional final on Saturday, Feb. 28.

West Allis Central

The Bulldogs closed out the Greater Metro Conference season with a 42-34 triumph over Brookfield East on Feb. 19.

"It was a good win," coach Steve Hluchnik said. "We played hard, we played excellent defense and we took care of the ball."

The Bulldogs trailed 23-22 at the half, but allowed just one point in the third period to take command. Mehryn Kraker led Central with 12 points. Lauren Hibbard had 10 and Janie Myles six.

Central finished 9-5 in the GMC and 13-7 overall. "It was a solid season," Hluchnik said. "With the exception of (a loss to Menomonee Falls), we won the games we should have. The kids stepped up when Iesha Barkley was hurt."

The Bulldogs met Milwaukee Hamilton in a WIAA Division 1 regional semifinal Feb. 24.  

- John Rech, Staff Writer