New Ulm passes the BucsEagles exhibit offensive, defensive improvement

By JEN SEAVEY

Journal Sports Editor

NEW ULM -- The New Ulm girls basketball team gained confidence, seeing proof of their improvement as they dominated Thursday's South Central Conference game, beating Blue Earth Area 48-33.

New Ulm (4-12, 2-7) had a slight height advantage over BEA (4-15, 2-7), as Kelly Hammerschmidt New Ulm's 6-foot 1 center scored the Eagles' first eight points of the second half, turning and shooting over defenders. She led the Eagles with 20 points and six rebounds in the game. She also had three blocks and three steals.

"I think height had something to do with it, but we came ready to play today, because we beat them once before," Hammerschmidt said. She was 67 percent from the field.

"Kelly Hammerschmidt -- her height advantage [helped], and a girl who worked hard for position was Megan Oberle," Eagle coach Brad Metter said. "She had 13 rebounds tonight, and it was all about position and hard work. She came up with big boards, jump balls and a couple assists."

The Eagles outrebounded BEA 33-22.

Oberle also scored six points, along with Martha Beatty. Coresa Leighty had 13.

In the third quarter, BEA went on a bit of a spurt with the help of two 3-pointers by Kate Milbrandt, who made it 31-16 after the half, and some inside moves by Kelly Sonnek, who had seven points for BEA. Kelsey Thompson led the Bucs with 10 points.

But New Ulm kept working their offense, and when Martha Beatty was open at the elbow, they found her to put the Eagles up 35-18 in the third. The Bucs were unable to inch any closer, as the Eagles won 48-33.

"We played as a team and got the job done," Hammerschmidt said. "Tonight we worked the ball well and found ways to break their defense."

The Eagles were patient on offense, moving the ball around

"One of the things we've been talking about is offensive flow, especially against the zone, which has been a sore spot this year," Metter said. "They did a nice job of that tonight."

The Eagles were also able to break the press and take care of the ball more than they had in the first matchup with the Bucs. When New Ulm beat the Bucs in Blue Earth Jan. 9, the Eagles won 40-33, but had 24 turnovers. This time, the Eagles forced 22 and had 15 of their own.

"I know we made progress both on offense and defense since then; it was important to our self confidence to play better than the last time," Metter said.

In the first quarter, the Eagles held BEA to just two baskets -- both by Thompson. At the same time, New Ulm showed aggressiveness on offense as Coresa Leighty went to the free throw line twice, going 4-of-4 in the quarter -- totaling the amount of free throws the Eagles attempted in the last two games put together. Against BEA, they were 6-for-12.

In the second quarter, the Eagles expanded their lead to 21-4 as Oberle made a shot after a rebound. The Eagles went into halftime ahead 25-10.

"We're excited that we have another win," Hammerschmidt said. "Having that confidence makes us [able] to play more as a team and play better."

The Eagles travel to Worthington at 10 a.m. Saturday.

The Eagles B-squad beat the Bucs 42-38. Melissa Kuebler scored 17 points for New Ulm, and Brittany Farasyn had 10.