The Pekin girls basketball team snapped a three-game losing streak with a 52-40 victory over Hillcrest Academy on Friday, December 19th. The win improved the Panthers to 4-3 on the season while Hillcrest dropped to 3-5.
Game Recap
Hillcrest held a slim 14-11 lead after the first quarter, but Pekin responded to take a 23-20 advantage into halftime. The Panthers extended their lead to 38-31 after three quarters and pulled away in the fourth for the 12-point victory.
Pekin Stats
Anna Hadley dominated inside with a double-double of 24 points and 18 rebounds while adding two assists, two steals, and one block. She shot an efficient 9-of-13 from the field. Carlie Gambell contributed 14 points, four rebounds, three assists, and three steals, though she struggled with ball control, committing 13 turnovers. Abby Guise added eight points, three rebounds, two assists, and one steal but shot just 3-of-14 from the field before fouling out. Mya Glick provided quality minutes off the bench with four points and four rebounds. Addison Smith chipped in two points, two rebounds, and committed zero turnovers. Ezra Parsons contributed three rebounds and five steals. Maddy Petrehn added five rebounds, two assists, and three steals.
Taylor Moore and Kendra Schultz also saw action off the bench.
As a team, Pekin shot 20-of-51 from the field, 1-of-4 from three-point range, and 11-of-20 from the free-throw line. The Panthers grabbed 41 rebounds, dished out 9 assists, recorded 17 steals, committed 34 turnovers, and were called for 21 fouls.
Coach’s Perspective
Pekin head coach Neil Hartz was pleased with his team’s execution and defensive effort.
“I thought the girls did a great job executing our game plan. Defensively, we did a good job rotating and being where we needed to be. Guards really upped their ball pressure, which helps us play fast,” Hartz said.
Hartz praised Hadley’s patient approach in the post and credited the guards for getting her the ball in optimal positions.
“I told Anna before the game that they couldn’t guard her in the post if she was patient. Ezra, Maddy, Carlie, Addi, and Kendra did a great job getting her the ball in the right spots,” Hartz said.
The coach highlighted a lineup change that paid dividends for the Panthers.
“This is the first game where we slid Carlie over into a point guard role with Ezra. She really excelled with the ball in her hands more for sure,” Hartz said.
Hartz also praised Glick’s contribution after Guise fouled out.
“When Abby fouled out, Mya Glick gave us some great minutes in the fourth,” Hartz said.
The coach emphasized patience as his team continues to develop.
“The biggest thing for us is to keep building. Everything for the girls is new, so it’s going to take time, but we are definitely heading in the right direction,” Hartz said.
The Panthers (4-3) will look to build momentum heading into the holiday break as they prepare to compete at the Casey’s Center in Des Moines against Highland for a conference matchup.
Photography courtesy of the Pekin Lady Panthers Basketball Facebook page.
