Girls basketball team splits a pair

Every practice is a blessing. Every game is a godsend. That’s how Sauk Prairie’s girls basketball team is looking at the 2020-21 campaign. So the fact the Eagles began their season — and split a pair of games — last week was thrilling to everyone inside the program. Sauk Prairie opened its season with a 46-31 win over Lodi on Dec. 7. The Eagles then lost at Reedsburg, 62-43, last Thursday. “Overall, the practices have been great and the girls are working very hard, learning a lot and competing,” Sauk Prairie interim coach Aaron Andres said. “It is a strange season and we know that each day is a gift. I have appreciated the willingness of the kids to work and learn and have fun! I’m looking forward to whatever we are able to do this season.” The Eagles did plenty in their win over Lodi. Sauk Prairie raced to a 31-8 halftime lead and was never threatened after intermission. Eleven different Eagles scored, led by eight points from freshman McKayla Paukner. “We did not shoot the ball particularly well, but we rebounded it very well,” Andres said.   That’s for sure. The Eagles finished with 66 rebounds — 46 on the defensive end and 20 offensive boards. Maggie Hartwig led the way with nine boards.   The Eagles’ lead grew to 28 points with 4 minutes left, before Lodi went on a run after Sauk Prairie emptied its bench. “I thought it was a very good first game that we were able to learn a lot about the things we need to work on heading into a busy stretch,” Andres said. Things weren’t as rosy against a strong Reedsburg team. The Beavers hit 10 three-pointers to just two for the Eagles. Sauk Prairie also had just four assists and 18 turnovers. “Reedsburg has a really good team that has great experience and plays the game with a pace that had us scrambling,” Andres said. “Their defensive pressure made us play at a pace that was new to us and we were able to learn a lot in that game about the pace that we need to try and replicate in practice.” The teams were tied six minutes into the game. But Reedsburg went on a run and grabbed a 37-17 halftime lead. The Eagles pulled within 14 on two second half occasions, but couldn’t get any closer. Naomi Breunig led Sauk Prairie with 11 points, while Olivia Paukner added nine. “I was happy with how we responded after the half,” Andres said. “We will work to find ways to reduce our turnovers and not allow these large runs.” • On deck: Sauk Prairie hosted Portage Tuesday, then travels to Beaver Dam Thursday at 7:15 p.m.   Dec. 7 SAUK PRAIRIE 46, LODI 31 Lodi ………............ 8  23 — 31 Sauk Prairie …… 31  15 — 46 LODI (fg ft-fta pts) — Roessler 1 0-0 3, Harrington 2 0-0 5, Milne 3 3-6 10, Ripp 2 4-5 8, Walzer 0 0-2 0, Puls 1 1-1 3, Klann 1 0-0 2. Totals 10 8-14 31. SAUK PRAIRIE — Klemm 1 0-0 3, Radl 0 1-2 1, N. Breunig 3 0-0 7, O. Breunig 1 0-0 2, Holler 1 0-0 2, Marquardt 2 2-5 6, Hartwig 3 0-3 6, Braund 1 2-4 4, M. Paukner 4 0-0 8, M. Breunig 2 0-4 4, O. Paukner 1 1-4 3. Totals 19 6-18 46. 3-point goals: L 3 (Roessler 1, Harrington 1, Milne 1); SP 2 (Klemm 1, N. Breunig 1). Total fouls: L 16; SP 14.   Dec. 10 REEDSBURG 62, SAUK PRAIRIE 43 Sauk Prairie ...… 17 26 — 43 Reedsburg ……….. 37 25— 62 SAUK PRAIRIE (fg ft-fta pts) — N. Breunig 5 0-0 11; O. Breunig 1 0-0 2; Marquart 2 0-3 5; Hartwig 2 2-2 6; Braund 3 2-5 8; M. Breunig 1 0-0 2; O. Paukner 3 3-6 9. Totals 17 7-16 43. REEDSBURG — Bestor 2 0-0 5; Stieve 0 1-2 1; T. Cherney 2 1-2 7; S. Cherney 5 1-2 13; Mac. Wieman 3 1-3 10; Dietz 2 0-0 4; Mah. Wieman 6 4-6 17; Benish 2 0-1 5. Totals 22 8-16 62. 3-point goals: SP 2 (N. Breunig 1, Marquart 1); R 10 (Mah. Wieman 3, S. Cheney 2, T. Cherney 2, Bestor 1, Mah. Wieman 1, Benish 1). Total fouls: SP 17; R 17.