Belleville Girls Basketball Soars Over the Bluejays

On Tuesday, February 11th, the Belleville Wildcats hosted the Cambridge Bluejays in a Capital South Conference match up, with Cambridge coming into this match in 2nd place in conference.
Coach Pharo stated that the Wildcats started the game with a high level of enthusiasm and confidence after their win the previous week against New Glarus. The Wildcats jumped out to an early lead and saw them take a 32-18 lead into the locker room at the half. The second half saw much of the same energy from the Wildcats as they built a 20-point lead midway and held on to a 10-point victory after Cambridge put on a fierce run in the latter minutes of the game.
Leading scorers for Belleville were Ava Foley with 18 points, Mickey Stampfl adding 17 to the Wildcat scoreboard and 9 rebounds, and Jenna Shrader with 12 points.
<strong>Belleville Over Powers the Vanguards in Double OT</strong>
On Friday, February 14th, Belleville hosted the Wisconsin Heights Vanguards, which turned out to be a Senior Night that most in attendance will never forget.
The night started with the Wildcats starting their four seniors, who are Ella Campbell, Sophia Grady, Erin Kittleson, and Jenna Shrader. From the opening tip you could tell the game was going to be close. Both teams knew how important this game was to the conference standings. During the game no one took more than a single digit lead, and most of the game saw neither team ahead by more than four. The final score saw the Wildcats and Vanguards tied at 45 leading into overtime.
Late in the first overtime, the Wildcats were down 54-49 when Jenna Shrader hit a 3-pointer with 39 seconds to go. Then, after the Vanguards missed two free throws, Ava Foley is fouled and takes a turn at the line. She makes both of her free throws, tying the game again with 19 seconds remaining. The Vanguards tried one last shot that went wide off the mark, which saw the first overtime end at 54-54.
The Vanguards took the initial lead in the second overtime but couldn't hold on to it as Erin Kittleson hit a big 3-pointer to tie the game at 57 midway through. Down the stretch the Vanguards played stingy defense and Jenna Shrader and Ava Foley hit a total of 8 free throws to give the Wildcats a 65-62 double overtime win.
Sophomore Ava Foley led the Wildcats with a personal and team season-high of 25 points and had 12 rebounds. Jenna Shrader put up two 3-pointers for Belleville and added 18 points to the scoreboard as well as 10 rebounds, and Erin Kittleson sank three 3-pointers and added 14 points for the Wildcats.
On Thursday, February 20th, Belleville travels to Waterloo to take on the Pirates in their final conference game of the season and with a win will clinch 2nd place in the Capital South Conference.