Rabbits race to semis

Wabasso wakes in second half

to pull away

By JEREMY BEHNKE

Journal Sports Writer

MINNEAPOLIS -- It was as if Wabasso was on another level in the second half of its Class A quarterfinal game against Barnesville.

The Rabbits, who scored an uncharacteristic 21 points going into halftime, raced all over the floor in the second half and created turnover after turnover for the Trojans and held them to 12 points in the second half.

Wabasso defeated Barnesville 57-28 and will move on to face Kittson Central at 3 p.m. today at the Target Center.

The Rabbits who score 66 points per game -- best in their class among state tournament entries, got stuck in their half-court offense, but got into their own flow in the final 16 minutes.

"We knew Barnesville was going to play the half-court game -- that's the way they are," Wabasso coach Neil Dolan said. "But we knew as we transitioned and as we played defense in the half-court and we switched our traps, that eventually we hoped they would get tired, and they did."

The Rabbits knew coming in that they had to focus on senior Kim Lewis, who is a threat both inside and around the perimeter. While the Trojans temporarily took the Rabbits out of their game, Wabasso never let Lewis get comfortable in hers and had a hand in her face all night.

Lewis, who entered the tournament averaging 18 points, scored 11 on 5-of-13 shooting.

"We knew if we got in her face and she missed some shots she'd get frustrated," Wabasso's Katie Schumacher said. "We knew we could tire her out by running up and down the court, and we did it."

Schumacher led the Rabbits with 11 points. She pulled down five boards and had one block. Andrea Fennern scored 10 points and had seven rebounds. But more importantly, she spread the ball around, dishing out six assists and is showing she is seeing the floor much better late in the season.

"She's really coming on to her own here in the tournament," Dolan said. "Other coaches [have] knocks against her, saying maybe she doesn't see the floor that well, but it's not true, because when that kid -- when she wants to -- she can make that good pass."

Ashley Prokosch had nine points and Jessica VanLoy scored nine points, had six rebounds and five steals. The Rabbits forced 24 turnovers in the transition game.

"We love transitioning -- that's our game," Schumacher said. "Our legs are meant for transitioning."

"That's as good as we can play defense," Dolan said. "It's funny how state tournaments can bring the best out of teams. Our girls worked extremely hard in the half court and did a good job getting hands in the face."

The Trojans had some momentum going late in the second quarter, but Chelsey Wegner's 3-pointer gave Wabasso a 21-16 lead at halftime.

In the second half, Prokosch had back-to-back baskets, giving Wabasso a 25-16 lead and VanLoy scored consecutive baskets to spark a 9-0 run.

Nicole Nord's basket ended the run and made it 37-21, but it was clear the trap had set the tone for the second half.

Wabasso also stepped it up on the boards, outrebounding the Trojans 30-17.

"It helps a lot," Schumacher said. "We all have the capabilities of rebounding and we can jump and get it. We just get in there and rebound. We're a physical team."

In the fourth quarter, Fennern's free throws gave the Rabbits a 46-23 lead and once again they enjoyed another lengthy run -- this one a 13-0 push. The Trojans didn't score until there was 3:58 left.

Barnesville ends its season at 23-6 and Wabasso improves to 27-4, winning its ninth straight game.

"I feel our whole team, everything is peaking right now," Schumacher said. "We're playing the best when we need to play the best."

Barnesville 8 8 7 5 -- 28

Wabasso 11 10 20 16 -- 57

Barnesville (28): N. Nord 4, Peterson 2, Lewis 11, E. Nord 4, Johnson 7.

Wabasso (57): Wegner 5, VanLoy 9, Schumacher 11, Fennern 10, Prokosch 9, Schueller 4, Guetter 2, Zimmerman 1, Plaetz 6.