February 18, 2017

By Greg Seubert

Balanced scoring helped Denmarks girls basketball team pick up a 68-42 win over Waupaca Feb. 17.

It was the final regular-season game for both teams, as the Comets and Vikings will open WIAA state tournament play Feb. 21.

Meanwhile, Waupaca also fell to Wrightstown 63-34 Feb. 14 as the Tigers wrapped up the conference championship.

Denmark 68, Waupaca 42 Five players scored in double figures for Denmark, while the Comets played without starter Emma Smidt, who sat out because of illness.

The Vikings scored the games first seven points, but the Comets eventually took a 17-15 lead on the first of Mya Johannes three three-pointers.

The lead didnt last long, however, as Denmarks Leah Hansen converted a three-point play and later hit a three-pointer that gave the Vikings the lead for good at 22-19.

Those six points started a 15-0 run. By the time Alana Radley ended the run with a basket for Waupaca, the Comets trailed 31-19 and never got any closer than seven points the rest of the way.

Denmarks Jayden Laurent hit a pair of free throws with no time on the clock to give the Vikings a 37-26 halftime lead. The Vikings then opened the second half with a 7-2 run to take a 44-28 lead and Waupaca never got any closer than 14 points the rest of the way.

Victoria Nowak scored a game-high 20 points for Waupaca in what will probably be her final home game. Alyson Rish led Denmark with 12 points, while Hansen, Hannah Miller and Ashley Leiterman finished with 11 each and Lakin Derricks added 10.

Mya Johannes inbounds the ball for Waupaca during the Comets' North Eastern Conference matchup with Denmark Feb. 17 at Waupaca High School. Greg Seubert Photo

Wrightstown 63, Waupaca 34 The Tigers outscored the Comets 29-11 in the first half and 34-23 in the second.

Nowak and Johannes led Waupaca with 18 and 10 points, respectively, while Lexy Wolske led Wrightstown with 12.

Waupaca will travel to Mosinee at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 21, for a Division 2 regional quarterfinal matchup with the Indians. The winner of that game will then head to Minocqua Friday, Feb. 24, for a 7 p.m. regional semifinal game with Lakeland.

Go here to read the rest:

Vikings top Comets | Waupaca County Post - Waupaca County News