BACKHUS TOP SCORER

By William

NEWTON – Playing much of the season with just 10 girls, the McPherson Middle School 8th grade girls basketball teams still gave every game everything they had and on Thursday, they closed out the 2020 season by splitting two games on the road with Newton Chisholm.

In the two games, the ‘A’ team lost by six, 27-21 while the ‘B’ team scored a four-point, low-scoring, 20-16 victory.

‘A’ TEAM SUFFERS LOSS IN FINAL GAME

It was a rough way to end a somewhat rough season for the McPherson Middle School 8th grade Junior Lady Pups ‘A’ team as they lost by six, 27-21, to Newton Chisholm.

“We can not say enough about how hard these ladies have worked this season,” explained Head Coach TJ Jackson. “They have improved in so many areas. They played most of the season with only 10 girls either due to injuries, quarantines, or even with just nine girls several times. I hope the ladies can consider that they were in a tough position and see how much better they all got with that much court time.”

Only four girls scored in the ‘A’ game with Izabel Backhus leading the way with 11 points while Cora Pavlovich chipped in with five.

Coach Jackson reflected on the season and game by adding, “In the end, I think there were times where we just got tired of having so few and other teams kept rotating fresh ladies and at the end of games that caught up to us a bit at times. I hope all the ladies give high school ball a try and see what those great coaches up there can do for them, and I can not wait to see what they do.”

MCPHERSON MIDDLE SCHOOL 8TH GRADE JUNIOR LADY PUPS ‘A’ TEAM SCORING:

Team lost 27-21 = Izabel Backhus – 11; Cora Pavlovich – 5; Rece Buchman – 3; Josie Fitzmorris – 2.

‘B’ TEAM SCORES A FOUR-POINT WIN IN SEASON FINALE

Eight girls contributed to points on the scoreboard for the McPherson Middle School 8th grade Junior Lady Pups ‘B’ game as they closed out their 2020 season with a four-point, 20-16 win.

“I am really proud of the girls and how they did this season,” said ‘B’ team Coach Courtney Heinen. “They have a lot to be proud of including the improvements they have had throughout the season. That hard work definitely paid off even if it didn’t always show in the stats.”

Of the eight girls that scored, Kiarah Pontious and Addie Harling led the way with four points each.

Coach Heinen concluded her season reflections by commenting, “It has been so much fun seeing them grow and work hard every day. They were tough all season and when adversity hit, they able to adjust and come back working even harder to show their dedication. I can not wait to watch them grow and succeed in the future.”

MCPHERSON MIDDLE SCHOOL 8TH GRADE JUNIOR LADY PUPS ‘B’ TEAM SCORING:

Team won 20-16 = Kiarah Pontious – 4; Addie Harlin – 4; Alix Wilson – 3; Josie Fitzmorris – 2; Arihanna Koehn – 2; Izabel Backhus – 2; Cora Pavlovich – 2; Alivia Villalobos – 1.

{McPherson Middle School Activity Postings are SPONSORED by CrossDove Creations}

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