The Van Buren County girls basketball team improved to 6-2 overall and 4-2 in conference play with a 59-41 victory over Danville on Friday, December 19th. The loss dropped the Bears to 2-3 before they rebounded with a win over Clark County R1 on Saturday to improve to 3-3.
Game Recap
The game started slowly, with both teams tied 4-4 midway through the first quarter. Van Buren County built a slim 14-12 lead after one period before taking control in the second quarter. The Warriors extended their advantage to 26-13 with under four minutes remaining in the half, building a commanding lead by halftime at 34-22. Van Buren County maintained control throughout the second half, leading 45-31 after three quarters before cruising to the 59-41 final.
Van Buren County Stats
Freshman Adalyn Snowgren delivered a breakout performance with 23 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and two steals. She shot an efficient 9-of-18 from the field and a perfect 3-of-3 from three-point range, scoring 16 of her points in the first half. Daphny Wells recorded a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds while adding four steals and one block on 4-of-8 shooting. Wells contributed six points in the opening half. Marlee Mertens had an efficient all-around game with nine points, one rebound, six assists, three steals, and zero turnovers. Sophia Jirak added eight points, six rebounds, five assists, and one steal. Kayley Snowgren contributed four points, five rebounds, one assist, and three steals.
Elli Daugherty chipped in four points, four rebounds, and one assist. Aubrey Loeffler, Ava Loeffler, Ali Pedretti, and Chloe Keefe also contributed off the bench.
As a team, Van Buren County shot 23-of-56 from the field, 6-of-16 from three-point range, and 7-of-15 from the free-throw line. The Warriors grabbed 35 rebounds, dished out 16 assists, recorded 14 steals, committed 16 turnovers, and were called for 17 fouls.
Danville was led by Violette Sowell with 17 points and Alaina Gourley with 14 points. The Bears played without key player Alivia Bauer, who was in concussion protocol.
Coach’s Perspective
Van Buren County head coach Randy Smith praised Adalyn Snowgren’s aggressive approach against Danville’s press defense.
“She played well. We talked, and you know, we said if you get behind that press, take it all to the hole, and she did that. She hit a couple of threes and that gave her a lot of confidence, and she just played really well,” Smith said. “I thought our bench, when we got foul trouble, they came in and didn’t turn the ball over, and that’s what Danville kind of lives and dies with—their press. So we attacked it like we wanted to and played pretty good defense. We got beat on a couple of offensive rebounds that hurt us a little bit, but overall it was a good win for us. Matt does a really good job out there.”
Smith acknowledged that Adalyn Snowgren’s breakout performance will likely draw more defensive attention going forward, which could benefit the team’s outside shooters.
“With this score, with Adalyn scoring 23, there’ll be teams that are going to key on her a little more, and that’s just going to open up Sophia and Marlee from the outside,” Smith said.
The coach highlighted Snowgren’s versatility, particularly her ability to contribute in the post.
“Just distributing the ball. And plus, we slide her into the low post, and she’s probably the best low post player we got too,” Smith said.
Smith also discussed the team’s rebounding strategy and how Kayley Snowgren’s development at point guard has allowed for more tactical flexibility.
“We have both those kids [Adalyn and Daphny] at the low post, one of them in the middle, the other at the baseline, 1-3-1. We have Adalyn down there, so if she gets a rebound, she can take it and go,” Smith said. “I thought Kayley did a really good job tonight. We got the ball behind their press, and then she attacked it and got the ball where we wanted it to. And then we can slide Adalyn this year into the low post because Kayley last year struggled at point guard with turnovers.”
The Warriors (6-2, 4-2 conference) will look to continue their winning ways when they return from the holiday break.
Photography courtesy of Jaime Moquin.
