Wolverines win their opener against the Trojans

Weiser dominated taking down Nampa Christian 68-21

On Tuesday, Nov. 19, the Weiser Wolverine ladies’ basketball team won their season opener against the Nampa Christian Trojans while playing on the road. 

 Weiser quickly established a commanding lead, jumping to 12-0 at the start and maintaining control throughout the game, ultimately securing a 68-21 victory. 

 Ellie Shirts contributed significantly, scoring the first nine points with support from her teammates, thanks to a full-court press and excellent passing. Lucy Hickey added a solid three-pointer from a pass by Shirts, putting Weiser ahead 12-0 with 5:12 remaining in the first quarter.

 Nampa Christian then scored from a baseline inbounds pass, getting on the scoreboard. Shortly after, Evie Dolton added two more points for the Wolverines from the block, assisted by Shirts. Weiser’s full-court press proved too intense for the Trojans, with Kailee Lerew, Shirts, and Hickey applying pressure in the backcourt while Dolton and Hailey Eames guarded the passing lanes. Lerew sunk a three-pointer near the top of the key with three minutes left in the first quarter.

 The fast-paced first quarter concluded with Weiser leading 19-4. The Wolverines maintained their lead throughout the second quarter, increasing it from 15 to 21 points by halftime. Just under a minute into the period, Lerew found Sophia Shirts open beyond the arc, and Shirts made a bank shot three-pointer, bringing Weiser’s total to 22 points. Eames then contributed two points from the block, followed by a trip to the free-throw line, where she made one of two attempts. 

 With three minutes left in the half, Lerew, in transition from defense to offense, found Sophia Shirts open at the wing for two more points. Jordan Stromberg added a free throw and a nice bucket from the key off a baseline inbounds pass. By halftime, Weiser led the game 32-11.

 The Trojans struggled to overcome the Wolverine defense, managing to score only 2 points in the third quarter. In contrast, the Wolverines surged ahead with 20 points during the same period. 

 Ellie Shirts kicked off the quarter with a coast-to-coast layup, and Lerew soon found Hickey open for a two-point basket. Shirts grabbed another steal, resulting in another layup, while Hickey and Lerew each contributed a bucket. Eames and Dolton also got involved, adding two points each. Weiser closed out the third quarter with a Lerew steal leading to another layup, followed by a basket from Ashlynn Strasser in the key, and finally, a baseline inbounds play from Dolton to Ellie Shirts for another basket.

 Weiser quickly broke the 30-point lead, initiating a running clock after Alyvia Goff made a nice shot from the block. Goff soon assisted Ali Sorensen for a bucket and then Sorensen picked up 2 more off a rebound put back with just 16 seconds left on the clock, providing Weiser’s final points of the night. 

 Coach Laraine Harrison was pleased with how the girls performed in their first game, noting they played at a high pace and maintained control. She emphasized that while there are areas to improve, it was a solid start.

 Ellie Shirts led Weiser with 21 points, while Lerew and Hickey each contributed 9 points. Eames added 7 points, Stromberg and Sophia Shirts had 5 points each, and both Dolton and Sorensen scored 4 points. Strasser and Goff each contributed 2 points.

 Scores at the end of quarters:

Weiser Nampa Christian

1st: 19 4

2nd: 32 11   

3rd: 52 13

4th: 68 21