Wheeler defeats Fillies by 20

UNION TOWNSHIP | Wheeler got off to a slow start in the first quarter on senior night, but dominated the rest of the game against Kouts. The Bearcats defeated the Fillies, 55-35.

"I thought we adapted well once we got going. We made some adjustments and got things going," Wheeler coach Dustin Nelson said. "We still have to get better at our defense, but it's a consistent effort by everyone on our team. Our quote on the year is 'Defense makes offense.'"

The Bearcats found themselves down 8-2 in the first quarter, but went on a 8-1 run of their own after two back-to-back 3-pointers by Tijana Raketic and Nickole Finch to take a 10-9 lead with seconds to go in the first. Wheeler would keep the lead for the rest of the game.

Kouts (13-8) pulled to within two at 22-20, but another 3-point shot by Finch would put the Bearcats up by five. Nickole Finch had 20 points for the Bearcats, 15 of those coming in the first half.

"Nickole did a nice job opening up from the outside," Nelson said. "Nickole got hot on the perimeter, and she knocked those down and that stretches the defense down."

Wheeler led 30-20 at halftime, but Kouts could not respond to Wheeler's offense.

"We came out in the second half, and we asked the girls to settle down and slow things down, and we didn't do that," Kouts coach Ron Kobza said. "We started the second half off with a few turnovers and forced shots. When you become undisciplined for a second, it's going to hurt you."

The Bearcats (15-4) kept Kouts to 9-of-25 shooting, and 2-of-5 from the 3-point line.

"Everyone came out today," Raketic said. "We were on a high at the beginning of the game, and that carried us the rest of the way. Our defense was key today. All we focused on was practice was defense, and knocking down shots."

Tajana Raketic added 14 points for the Bearcats.

Jenna Jessen and Lexi Sippel led the Fillies with 10 points each.