Post Messenger Recorder -

The Belleville girls basketball team battled it out at home with Columbus on December 5th. Columbus took an early lead and even though the Wildcats drew several fouls against the Cardinals, Belleville missed six straight free throw attempts. After a Columbus player was benched due to fouls, Belleville ramped up their offensive game, applying full court pressure and forcing several Columbus turnovers. Rachael Heittola was able to score 14 points in the first half and the Wildcats had the lead at halftime, 35-20.

""We knew once (Ashley) Henry picked up her second foul and came out of the game that we would have a huge advantage inside.  Our girls did a nice job of recognizing that and gave Rachael some great passes for her to go up and score with," said Coach Sean Greenleaf. "That 2 or 3 minute stretch just before halftime was so incredibly huge for us...it gave us all the momentum going into halftime and I don't think Columbus every really quite recovered from it."

Columbus outscored Belleville in the second half by two, but the Wildcats' efforts in the first half paid out in the end. The Wildcats won, 60-47.

Rachael Heittola scored a game high 24 points for the Wildcats, while teammate Kalin O'Rourke scored 13 points, and Aimee Sies contributed 8 points towards the win.

"I thought we got some great efforts tonight and was proud of how the girls ended that first half.  We struggled from the FT line again (going 8 for 21).  I will be honest, that does concern me a bit.  We practice FTs almost daily but it's hard to simulate the game fatigue factor in practice to the point of where your legs are gone and you are just so tired.  Legs become so much more important for free throws, especially when you are tired late in a game.  We will keep working on them," said Coach Greenleaf.

On Friday, December 8th, the team traveled to Poynette and for the first time this season, they found the road was not so friendly, losing 45-57, and seeing three of their starters foul out.

""We didn't come out and play our smartest game of the year by any means, that's for sure," said Coach Greenleaf.  "We can't afford to get kids in foul trouble and expect good things to happen for us." 

Down by only 1 point at the half, 30-31, the second half did not go well for the Wildcats.

"We made a lot of mental mistakes...silly fouls, missed lay ups, bad shots...and to be only down by 1 at halftime was a gift, "said Greenleaf.  "I challenged our players to come out and play smarter basketball the second half and to try and get control of a faster pace like we like to run." 

The Pumas controlled the offensive boards and forced numerous Wildcat turnovers to take control of the game for the win. The physical play took its toll on the players, with Ceci Grefsheim leaving after an apparent knee injury and Rachael Heittola suffering a possible concussion.

"We were already down one player in Jade Halvensleben, now to have possibly two more go down hurts quite a bit!" exclaimed Greenleaf.  "I have always told my players, when someone goes down, someone else needs to step up.  We are going to see what this team is made out of over the next several weeks I feel. We have lost two games this season.  Both games teams sort of beat us up a bit...they challenged us by attacking the offensive boards.  We need to find the courage to be able to not let teams do that to us.  It's a toughness issue right now.  I feel we have the capability to compete with anybody, but we have to not be afraid to be challenged and afraid to fail a few times.  Failure is what makes you stronger.  We will be there!"

Rachael Heittola led the Wildcats with 14 points, while Jenna Shrader scored 8 points and Kalin O'Rourke put 6 on the board.

Belleville has an overall record of 4-2, and hosted Wisconsin Dells on December 12th, for Youth Night. They will play at Monticello on Friday, December 15th.