Port girls getting closer to victory

A solid first half wasn’t quite enough for the Port Washington High School girls’ basketball team last Friday in the final game in the school’s old gym.

The Pirates took a 26-23 lead at the break.

“It was good to see. We had a nice week having four practices leading up to one game, which we needed, just having extra time,” coach Jakob Wahl said.

“It was great to see some of the small things they were doing well, rebounding the basketball and playing faster.”

The Pirates’ defense stepped up to draw two charges.

“They’re playing hard, they’re giving up their bodies, which is a big step in the right direction,” Wahl said.

The Knights, however, stormed back for a 54-39 victory. They outscored the Pirates, 31-13, in the second half.

A Knights’ run in the final several minutes of the game was too much to overcome, Wahl said.

“Nicolet is a very much improved team. Nothing is going to be easy here,” he said.

Senior guards Lizzie Egan and Katie Erlandson each scored 11 points to lead the Pirates. Forward Kaytlin Kassens scored eight, and Morgan Stone, Ella Bierman and Tiana Davis each had three.

Wahl praised his senior forward for her play in the paint.

“Kaytlin Kassens had a really good game. We’re looking at her to be more aggressive around the hoop,” he said.

“Having an inside presence will help players like Katie, Lizzie and Ella.”

The Pirates (0-6) were to play at Cedarburg on Tuesday and at Hartford on Friday. They host defending conference champ Slinger on Tuesday, Dec. 18.

Grafton goes to the wire with Homestead

A couple of missed chances cost the Grafton girls a victory at Homestead last Friday.

Down by two, Black Hawks inbounded the ball twice, only to have the Highlanders make plays each time. They knocked the first pass out of bounds and on the second corralled a loose ball as time ran out.

Homestead survived, 48-46.

“We had chances,” coach Mike Grzesiak said.

“It was a typical Homestead game — a street brawl, punch in the mouth. We both play man. We both do it very well and get after each other.”

Star senior guard Hannah Belanger was back from an ankle injury and led the Hawks with 18 points. Star senior soccer player Hailey Block was back from a soccer trip and scored eight points at her point guard spot. Julia Place and Lexi Hilgart each scored seven.

In addition to scoring, Block handled the Highlanders’ press so well they took it off in the second half because they were giving up layups, Grzesiak said.

The Hawks were down for most of the game, but three straight defensive stops in the second half brought them back to within two, he said.

“The girls hung in there the entire night. That’s how Homestead games are. They are extremely well coached,” Grzesiak said.

The Hawks (2-2) were to host Whitefish Bay on Tuesday, play at Nicolet on Friday and host Kenosha Indian Trail on Saturday in a non-conference game.