The Tritons girls’ basketball team is wrapping up their regular season with a very challenging schedule.
The team finished last week by hosting the Kimberly PaperMakers who are ranked third in the state. The Tritons kept it close but ended up falling 47-52.
“I thought our girls played really hard and executed our game plan very well,” Triton Head Coach Sara Rohde explained.
“Obviously, it wasn’t the outcome we wanted, but we need to take care of the ball and value offensive possessions to beat a team like Kimberly.”
On Tuesday, the Tritons played Bay Port at home. The last matchup between these teams in January was an exciting one. In that game, the Tritons secured a 13-point win.
Thursday’s game had a different outcome, however, as the Tritons fell 52-59.
Notre Dame currently has a record of 14-6, but because of the girls’ basketball talent in Wisconsin this year, this record isn’t quite enough to get the Tritons a spot in the top ten.
However, they will have a chance to prove themselves this week as they play two of their toughest games all season.
The Tritons will host Wisconsin’s second-ranked Arrowhead at home on Thursday, as well as the number one team in Minnesota, Providence Academy on Saturday.
“Both teams have some very talented players that we will need to contain,” said Rohde.
The Arrowhead team is led by 5-star Junior Natalie Kussow who averages 25.3 points per game and is closing in on 2000 career points.
Kentucky-commit Maddyn Greenway leads the undefeated Providence Academy with 32.8 ppg and over 4000 career points.
Rohde added, “They are both players that can put up big numbers. We need to play hard and use each other. We will need to do the little things very well–make free throws, rebound, and take care of the ball. Defensively, we will need to play as a team and follow through on our game plan. Offensively, we will need production from everyone and to take care of the ball.”
Next week, the Tritons will move into postseason play. They have received the 7th seed and are set to face conference opponent Preble at home.
Because of the WIAA’s new policy and the Triton’s move up to D1, the brackets will look different this year. With a win over the Hornets next Friday, the Tritons are likely to face Kimberly again.
Despite the different look, this Notre Dame team is ready for the challenge on the road to the Resch.
“We have faced a lot of different challenges and adversity this year, a lot of different starting line-ups and closing line-ups, and I think our girls have shown a lot of resilience and fight,” said Rohde. “They have learned how to be more strategic and continue to grow in this respect. I like the direction we are moving and am excited for the last week of our regular season and tourney time.”
