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Clean Ticket Company
November 30, 2022
#71-334 a2z
 
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Balance and unselfishness at the core in Herscher

Equilibrio y altruismo en el núcleo en Herscher

Mason Schweizer
mschweizer@daily-journal.com

HERSCHER — The Herscher girls basketball team continued to make its case as one of the area's premier teams of the season on Monday night when it utilized one of the most unselfish offensive performances of the season to knock off Westmont 45-35 in an Interstate Eight Conference contest in Herscher.

Out of 18 made baskets on the evening, the Tigers assisted on 13 of them. According to coach Jennifer Savoie, the sound teamwork Monday was a result of establishing the identity she wants her team to have.

"I try to stress teamwork and facilitating a lot," Savoie said. "We have a lot of great facilitators, so as long as we sink our shots, we'll put up those assists at the same time."

The biggest benefactor of those assists was Mattie Brown. The junior guard scored a game-high 14 points, with 10 of those points coming in the second half.

Herscher High School's Mattie Brown (44) tries to grab a rebound against Westmont High School's Megan Thompson (21) and Sydney Pardy (5) in Monday's game in Herscher.

"It's awesome," Brown said of the Tigers' ability to spread the floor and the ball. "I play sports for the team aspect, so when everyone gets more involved, it makes it a lot more enjoyable."

The game was never really in doubt for Herscher. The Tigers used an 11-3 run in the first quarter for an early lead and never gave up the lead the rest of the game.

Herscher High School's Mattie Brown (44) takes a shot in Monday's game against Westmont High School.

A large reason for Herscher's ability to hold its lead was resiliencey on the glass, particularly on the offensive end. The Tigers outrebounded the Sentinels 36-26 with 12 of those 36 rebounds coming on the offensive end. Madison Orr led the Tigers with 11 rebounds, with eight of them coming in the first quarter.

"Making sure we get in position for rebounds is huge, especially when we face a zone defense, which can be tough to rebound against," Savoie said. "But we did a great job of getting in position and getting those offensive rebounds."

Herscher High School's Madison Orr (34) passes the ball off while being guarded by Westmont High School's Megan Thompson (21) and Sydney Pardy in Monday's game in Herscher.

Herscher gained its largest lead of the game with 3:36 remaining, when the Tigers took a 44-30 lead. Westmont installed a full-court press and caused the Tigers some fits, forcing them to turn the ball over five times during the last three minutes and change.

But the Tigers' defense held strong and allowed just five points during the final 3:36 to secure the win.

Herscher High School's Emma Schultz (12) is pressured by Westmont High School's Sydney Pardy in Monday's game in Herscher.

"Our defense always saves us at the end of the day," Brown said.

Stat Book

While Brown's 14 points led the way for the Tigers, sophomore Mya Johanson arguably had the best all-around night for Herscher. The 6-foot-2 forward had 13 points, five rebounds, two assists and a team-high four blocks and two steals on the defensive end.

"(Johanson) has been huge and stepped up for us the past couple of games and been our second-leading scorer in each of them," Savoie said. "Defensively, she was a huge help down on the block with her height and positioning, and she really had a huge impact."

Up Next

The Tigers are back in action today for a nonconference matchup at home with St. Thomas Moore.

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