Shane Merrill | Writer

Fresh off a tough loss to Baltic, the Parker girls basketball team traveled to Canistota last Monday night to face off against the Hawks. Parker hung tough in the game, but the Hawks were able to outlast the Pheasants 60-53. 

The Pheasants did managed to build a lead early in the contest, going up early off shots from Lexi Even, Cierra Mohr and Janae Olson. Parker used an inside-outside game to build a lead, up 14-12 after one.

Canistota started to get going in the second quarter, nabbing the lead right back and trading blows with the visitors. Terryn Fuller hit several key shots down the stretch, helping Parker to a 27-27 tie at the half.

Canistota emerged in the second half continuing to edge ahead, pulling ahead three after the third and going on to take the victory 60-53.

Leading Parker was Mohr with 14 points while Fuller had 10, Even had nine while Hope Larson and Olson with seven. Olson also had nine rebounds. Parker shot just 34 percent from the field, but improved their free throws, hitting 11 of 14.

“Canistota did a lot things well. They recognized our zone and man defenses quickly and executed. Our girls are playing hard and bringing their best every game. We have been battling with teams until the end. We focus a lot on fundamentals and effort, the score will start to take care of itself. Very proud of this team,” said head coach Kennedy Wagner.

Bulldogs come from behind to top Parker

Coming off a tough loss to the Garretson Blue Dragons, the Parker girls’ basketball squad was set to face Beresford in the consolation semi-finals. Unfortunately, the game was canceled sending Parker to the fifth place match against Baltic. 

The Bulldogs had nipped Parker early in the season, but this time it looked to be the Pheasants who had control, at least until the final minutes, when the Bulldogs came from behind for a 49-46 victory.

Parker scored early and often in the opening frame of the contest, as Lexi Even, Anna Reiffenberger, Terryn Fuller and Janae Olson all got in on the scoring fun, rallying the visitors ahead 14-3. Baltic tried to get going late, pulling within eight, 18-10 after one.

Hope Larson and Olson opened the second quarter with back-to-back buckets and the Pheasants were able to hold on in the second quarter, leading 27-16 at the half.

The Bulldogs tried to chip away at the half, pulling within six midway through the third quarter, but the Pheasants continued to hold a lead up 39-30 after three. 

Things started to slip away for the Pheasants in the final frame, as the Bulldogs hit shot after shot to pull within two with 5:56 to go. A Cierra Mohr free throw and Fuller three had Parker back out six, but Baltic found a way, hitting back to back to back threes and pulling ahead one and eventually four with 53 seconds to go. 

Even then hit a three for Parker, pulling within one, and grabbed a steal on the next Baltic possession, but a turnover resulted in no points, with the Bulldogs icing the game in the final seconds, going on to get the win 49-46.

Leading Parker was Even with 16 points and Fuller with 13. Olson also grabbed 10 rebounds. Parker shot just 32 percent and were only 5 of 14 from the free throw line.

“We had our chances and we are growing and learning through every game. This group has a lot to learn being so young, but we are bringing our best efforts. As a team, there has been huge improvement. I am so proud of their efforts,” remarked coach Kennedy Wagner.

Up next Parker faced Canistota.

Girls pick up third win

Rounding into the second half of their season, the Parker girls were looking for a win to jump start the team before the post season. The Pheasants got just that in a big way, upending conference rival Chester, 55-41. 

The first half was a back and forth game for both teams with Parker leading 14-12 after one, but both teams knotted at 24 at the half.

Parker got their offense rolling in the third quarter, led by a strong press defense that forced several turnovers allowing guards Cierra Mohr and Lexi Even to make several lay-ups with Parker scoring 19 points and allowing just six. That put the Pheasants in the driver’s seat, as the Pheasants again outscored Chester in the final quarter and went on to win 55-41.

Mohr led all scorers with 17 points while Even had 16 and Janae Olson 10. Olson also had 10 rebounds as did Anna Reiffenberger.

Parker next played Hanson.