Junior shines on senior night

By MITCH MAERSCH

Ozaukee Press staff

Cedar Grove-Belgium High School student School Board representative Katelyn Morris may have a riveting report at the next meeting.

The junior can explain how she stole a little of the spotlight on senior night Monday. Morris shot 9-for-12 and the Rockets’ girls’ basketball team beat visiting Sheboygan Christian, 56-47.

Morris went 4-for-6 on three-pointers, 5-for-6 inside the arc and made both of her free throws for a game-high 24 points.

“I did it for the seniors, I guess. Play your hardest so they can get their minutes,” Morris said.

Coach Mike “Bik” Bikman said he didn’t start Morris to make room for the seniors and suggested he should do so more often.

“She didn’t like that,” he said with a smile. “Katelyn did a heck of a job. She was lighting them up.”

Seniors Alexis Bahr, Natalie Hopmeman and Oliveah Kurth were honored with a slideshow and gifts, including giant inflatable basketballs that their loved ones struggled to transport out of the gym to their cars.

“Basketball has always been my favorite sport so it’s kind of sad that it’s almost over,” Bahr said.

But this has been the best year she has had in high school. The Rockets are 12-11 and haven’t finished over .500 in years.

Hopeman, a 5 feet, 10-inch center, hit a milestone with her first varsity three-pointer.

“I’ve always wanted to make a three-pointer,” she said. “It was fun to feel the energy in the gym.”

The Rockets started fast, building a 35-18 halftime lead and cruising. Bahr had nine points and Hopeman had three.

Maria Zylstra had 15 points and MacKenna Epping had 14 for the Eagles.

Last Thursday, the Rockets lost, 70-57, at Sheboygan Lutheran in a game Bik said was closer than the score.

Tara Schmitz had 19 points, Bahr had 18 and Morris had 13.

On Feb. 7, the Rockets pulled off a 44-41 home upset over Howards Grove (15-8). They led, 21-16 at halftime and stretched it to 38-30. The Tigers tried to come back but never got closer than one possession.

“That was a really fun game,” Bik said. “People are noticing we’re around.”

Bahr had 15 points and nine rebounds. Olivia Bahr had seven points and eight rebounds. Schmitz had six points, six rebounds, four steals and four blocks. Sophie Beightol had nine points.

Tiger Jackie Yancy had 14 points.

The Rockets, 9-9 in the Big East, play at Kohler on Thursday, Feb. 16, and host Kenosha Christian Life in the playoffs on Friday, Feb. 24.