Recapping A Wild Night From Neenah’s New High School

Recapping A Wild Night From Neenah&#8217;s New High School

Brady Peterson January 3, 2024 @ 09:49 AM

Every time Hortonville and Neenah face off, there are always fireworks, and last night was no different. Games as eventful as this deserve their game-specific article, so we'll recap that game first.   Neenah and Hortonville were two of three teams tied at the top of the Fox Valley association with 6-1 records. Last season, the Rockets and Polar Bears split the season series, with the Polar Bears pulling out the third game against the Rockets to win a Sectional Title and head to the state tournament.   Considering how well both teams have played thus far, it wouldn't be outlandish to assume that these two will see each other two more times before it's said and done.   At Neenah's new gym for the Neenah-Hortonville rivalry that fit the nature of the game, a back-and-forth game with individual brilliance at both ends of the floor, which concluded with the Polar Bears wining 62-60 in overtime.   [player_tooltip player_id='374227' first='Rainey' last='Welson'] dominantly opened the game, scoring 18 of Hortonville's first 20 points and assisting the two points she didn't put in the basket herself.   The Rockets didn't have the personnel to keep Welson from going wherever she wanted.   UCONN commit [player_tooltip player_id='189502' first='Allie' last='Ziebell'] was doubled on every ball screen and had to play a facilitating role in the first half, which she did masterfully, recording five assists. The way she fires passes all over the floor when defenses collapse on her is one of the most underappreciated aspects of her game.   Future St. Thomas Tommie, [player_tooltip player_id='266988' first='MiKayla' last='Werner'], had a standout night in the Hortonville frontcourt. Playing against a kid who'd given her trouble in previous meetings, Werner dominated the frontcourt. She grabbed a season-high 15 rebounds, recorded 12 points for her double-double, and made massive free throws down the stretch.   [player_tooltip player_id='509694' first='Ellie' last='Buss'] led the Rockets in rebounds last night, which I'm sure everyone in the gym expected. In her first game with significant minutes in this rivalry, Buss played excellent minutes. She dug in and rebounded the ball, hit some open threes, got to the rim through traffic early, and was a net positive on the floor.   [player_tooltip player_id='533065' first='Rowan' last='Klesmit'] did what she does well all night in a secondary ball-handling role. She turned the corner repeatedly, which allowed her teammates to relax and play off her for a possession or two.   [player_tooltip player_id='209902' first='Kallie' last='Peppler'] had the most important job on the floor, defending one of the best players the state has produced, and with some help along the way, she excelled. In a moment I'll never forget, down a point with five minutes to go, Peppler chased Ziebell up through a screen to the three-point line and blocked a three-point attempt that, because of who was shooting it, would've gone in had it not been for Peppler. That play is why Coach Rechlicz and the Milwaukee staff are excited about next season with another Peppler.   Whether it's chaotic endings, wild 4-0 runs in ten seconds out of a timeouts without having possession, or individual moments of magic, these two teams produce some of the most entertaining games in the state each year.   To say I'm excited for February 9th would be the understatement of the century.

Every time Hortonville and Neenah face off, there are always fireworks, and last night was no different. Games as eventful as this deserve their game-specific article, so we'll recap that game first.