Ipswich hosts Rustlers in doubleheader

The Ipswich Tigers hosted non-conference Class A opponent Miller in a girls/boys twin-bill last Thursday, with mixed results.

The Tigers girls came out on the short end of a 62-21 verdict but their boys would hold on for a two-possession 51-45 victory. The visiting boys had staged a late final-quarter rally, narrowing their deficit to one possession to trail by only three points. But the hosts would sink key free throws and get a defensive stop or two that would help seal the deal.

This was definitely a game of momentum shifts all evening. The Miller boys had actually enjoyed a 13-10 first-quarter lead, but Ipswich then forged ahead to lead 32-24 at halftime. The Rustlers would trail 41-36 entering the decisive final stanza.

One reason for the win had to be Trevor Heinz with 22 points including five free throws. (He netted one trey.) Another reason would be Chet Peterson with his 12 points that would feature a pair of treys. Further IHS scoring tapered off to eight points from Ian Beyers including a trey and Tyler Heittich was next with seven points that also included one trey. Only one other Tiger boy would score that evening and that would be Turner Thorson with two free throws.

Miller obtained five scorers as well, led by Alex Schumacher with 13 points and Isaak Hunter and Spencer Fernholz were each next with nine points, followed by Dylan Haas and Trevor Werdel  with seven points apiece.

Ipswich totaled 16 accurate floor shots including its five treys and finished 14-21 in its trips to the free throw line. Miller countered with 17 baskets that included five treys as well and finished 6-8 at the charity stripe.

Ipswich obtained 30 rebounds led by Peterson with seven and Heinz pirated seven steals. The Tigers totaled 13 steals and four assists.

GIRLS

In the girls' game the Tiger girls would trail at each respective quarter stop - 12-2, 30-15 and 53-21. But the Tigers were led in scoring by Gabby Wald with her eight points and Brianna Geditz scored four points followed by Katie Bierman and Karlie Gohl each with a trey for their three points. Kaylin Onken scored two points and Ashlyn Weig a free throw.

The visitors were able to obtain 10 scorers with a balanced attack led by Morgan Kolda with 17 points. And Jaden Werdel was next with her nine points, almost into double-figures. The Rustlers had 27 total baskets that featured five treys and were 3-8 in free throw attempts. Ipswich responded with eight accurate floor shots including their pair of treys. The Tiger girls were 3-6 in free throw tries.

Ipswich collected 22 rebounds, led by Anna Nierman's three retrieves and Miller countered with 24 rebounds. Miller only sustained eight turnovers; Ipswich, 18. Ipswich forced seven of the Rustler miscues with steals that were led by Marley Guthmiller's two thefts.