Conference Leaders Face Off: KML Seals Win Over Hartford Union

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In a clash of undefeated conference leaders, Kettle Moraine Lutheran (9-0, East Central Conference) and Hartford Union (9-0, North Shore Conference) squared off in a high-energy showdown that lived up to its billing. The game was a tale of two halves with KML's [player_tooltip player_id='448257' first='Makenzie' last='Luehring'] putting on an impressive first-half performance to give her team a commanding lead while Hartford Union showed an impressive second-half comeback fueled by clutch shooting from [player_tooltip player_id='751236' first='Alexis' last='Shelsta'] and [player_tooltip player_id='751281' first='Rita' last='Kuepper']. Ultimately, KML's composure and consistency down the stretch secured their 91-76 victory in this exciting battle of conference titans.<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The game started with an evenly matched first seven minutes, where Hartford Union briefly held the lead. Midway through the first half, KML seized momentum with [player_tooltip player_id='448257' first='Makenzie' last='Luehring'] leading the charge. Luehring hit back-to-back threes, drove for an and-1, and set up Lilia Greifenhagen for another and-1. KML closed the half with a 41-24 lead, capped by Luehring's half-court shot at the buzzer.<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hartford Union came out strong in the second half, quickly narrowing the gap to 7 points with hot shooting from beyond the arc, including multiple threes from [player_tooltip player_id='751236' first='Alexis' last='Shelsta'] and contributions from Kuepper, Christian, and Klages. With 8 minutes remaining, Shelsta's third triple made it a 5-point game. However, KML's [player_tooltip player_id='448261' first='Madeline' last='Leffel'] responded with a three-pointer, and the game turned into a back-and-forth battle. Despite Hartford Union's strong push, KML held their composure and hit crucial shots to maintain their lead. The game ended with a KML victory, 91-76.<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>STATS LEADERS:<br><strong>Hartford</strong>:<br>[player_tooltip player_id='338945' first='Makena' last='Christian']: 20 points, 8 rebounds<br>[player_tooltip player_id='751236' first='Alexis' last='Shelsta']: 14 points<br>[player_tooltip player_id='533085' first='Bella' last='Klages']: 12 points<br>[player_tooltip player_id='751285' first='Taressa' last='Hennes'] &amp; [player_tooltip player_id='751281' first='Rita' last='Kuepper']: 11 points each</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kettle Moraine Lutheran</strong>:<br>[player_tooltip player_id='448257' first='Makenzie' last='Luehring']: 34 points, 5 steals, 5 assists<br>[player_tooltip player_id='751259' first='Hayden' last='Lauer']: 15 points, 6 rebounds<br>[player_tooltip player_id='448261' first='Madeline' last='Leffel']: 12 points<br>Mollie Murphy: 9 points<br>[player_tooltip player_id='931583' first='Brooklyn' last='Luehring']: 5 points, 4 assists, 6 rebounds</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to note:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='751281' first='Rita' last='Kuepper']</strong> navigates her way to the basket with ease, and you would never guess she is only a sophomore. She has a remarkably high basketball IQ and can create a shot almost at will. Her ball-handling skills and footwork are impressive, and she knows how to create angles to the basket. Kuepper plays with finesse, making her movements look incredibly smooth. In the second half, she came out strong, hitting two three-pointers right away to energize the offense. Currently, Kuepper averages 11.9 points and 3.4 assists per game for Hartford Union.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='448257' first='Makenzie' last='Luehring']</strong> never fails to impress me. I haven't seen a game yet where she didn't dominate the court. She plays with incredible energy and hustle and is extremely reliable when it comes to scoring. Makenzie impacts the game on both ends, and I always have fun watching her play. She is a fantastic three-point shooter who can score from several feet beyond the arc, and she can drive to the basket and finish cleverly at the rim despite her size disadvantage. She is also an exceptional passer and ball handler and has demonstrated a deep understanding of the game. I'm looking forward to seeing her transition to the next level in the competitive GLIAC with Lewis University. Currently, she is averaging 17.2 points per game, shooting 54% from the field and 45% from three-point range. She's also contributing 4.4 assists and 4.5 steals per game. Talk about an impressive stat line!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I've noticed something special about<strong><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/hayden-lauer/"> </a>[player_tooltip player_id='751259' first='Hayden' last='Lauer']</strong> since her debut as a freshman, and this season she has truly become an impressive player. While she has always made an impact defensively, she has also emerged as a major contributor on the offensive end this year, and it's great to see her confidence on the floor. She possesses an impressive skill set, including speed, footwork, and strong shooting abilities. She makes excellent cuts to get open and has the ability to drive to the rim herself. She's quick and clever with her fakes, allowing her to execute great moves to the basket. I'm really impressed with her performance and look forward to seeing her development in the years to come.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='931583' first='Brooklyn' last='Luehring']</strong> is a player whose age might surprise you. As a freshman, she is performing at an impressive level. She handles the pressure of varsity competition with ease and has demonstrated her ability to compete with anyone on the court, both offensively and defensively. This is especially challenging for an underclassman in varsity play. Brooklyn has a quick first step which allows her to blow by defenders and finish strong at the basket. She holds her own in the post and consistently makes smart decisions. She has a great left-hand finish and is also a great shooter. Overall, she is a solid all-around player with great fundamentals, and I am excited to see how she develops in the coming years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='338945' first='Makena' last='Christian']</strong>, a Division 1 commit to the University of Minnesota, is having an impressive season, averaging 24.5 points per game. Her shot mechanics are beautiful – from her footwork to her shooting form, everything is on point. She can consistently knock down shots from the perimeter which is proven by her 40% shooting percentage this season, and she has serious range. When attacking the rim, she shows both strength and control and It's easy to see how she has earned her D1 commitment. She also contributes an average of 9.6 rebounds per game further highlighting her overall impact on the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Averaging 8.8 points per game for Hartford and shooting 46% from the field, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='751285' first='Taressa' last='Hennes']</strong> excels in the paint. She has quick moves and a beautiful jump shot that is difficult to defend. Defensively, she makes a significant impact. At 6 feet tall, she is quick to get into position and can effectively match up with guards. In this game, she made several key steals and blocks, as well as clutch shots in the second half while Hartford Union was making a comeback.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='448261' first='Madeline' last='Leffel']</strong>, a commit to Wisconsin Lutheran College, is an impressive player known for her ability to shoot from beyond the arc and drive to the basket. Her skill in stretching the floor creates significant challenges for opposing teams. I have seen her get hot in games, and when she does, she can be unstoppable from beyond the perimeter. In this particular game, she focused more on driving to the basket, which was great to see. She has an incredibly quick first step allowing her to easily blow past defenders and reach the rim. This season, she is averaging 14.6 points per game and shooting 52% from the field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='751236' first='Alexis' last='Shelsta']</strong> has a beautiful pull-up jumper that I loved to see. She's a sharpshooter who can drain threes from several feet beyond the arc even under tight defensive pressure. Shelsta is equally comfortable attacking the paint and finding her shot in traffic. She came up clutch in the second half hitting 4-of-8 from the arc with three of those coming after halftime. On defense, Shelsta brings relentless energy and applies intense ball pressure. She hustles hard on both ends of the floor making her a key all-around player for Hartford Union. Averaging 11.5 points per game, she's a consistent and impactful presence for her team.<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->