Chickasaw Girls Surge to First UIC Win with 50-35 Victory
UPDATE: The New Hampton Chickasaw girls basketball team has secured their first-ever win in the Upper Iowa Conference, defeating the North Fayette Valley TigerHawks 50-35 in a thrilling match on November 7, 2023.
In a game that saw a slow start, the Chickasaws rallied from an eight-point deficit with a staggering 20-0 run, turning the momentum decisively in their favor. New Hampton’s first-year head coach, Kim Kuehner, expressed pride in her team’s defensive prowess, stating, “That was defense, 100 percent.”
The Chickasaws struggled early, failing to score until Caycee Crawford made a basket with just 2.5 seconds left in the first quarter, leaving them trailing 7-5. Despite a rocky start, they managed to keep the game close, and their breakthrough came midway through the second quarter. A jumper from Jordan Throndson ignited a scoring spree, pushing New Hampton ahead for good with a strong drive from Chloe Weigel.
By halftime, the Chickasaws had transformed a 13-5 deficit into an impressive 22-13 lead, thanks to a combination of defensive steals and capitalizing on turnovers. Kuehner noted, “Besides the defense, I think it was confidence. Those girls just got confident… it just kind of snowballed.”
In the second half, New Hampton maintained their momentum, extending their lead as Aleigha Cahoy scored early in the third quarter. The Chickasaws dominated throughout, with Crawford leading the team with 14 points and six rebounds, going an impressive 8-for-10 at the free-throw line.
Cahoy added 12 points, five assists, and six steals, while Weigel contributed eight points, including two crucial three-pointers. Jersey Pemble also played a vital role, scoring all seven of her points in the fourth quarter to keep North Fayette Valley at bay.
Kuehner praised her team’s unselfish play, saying, “We had a ton of assists and I loved the unselfishness we had tonight.” She highlighted the importance of teamwork, stating, “We cannot play as a team if we’re not playing for each other.”
The final score reflected a complete turnaround for New Hampton, showcasing their resilience and determination. As they celebrate this victory, all eyes are on the Chickasaws as they look to build on this success in their upcoming games.
As the season progresses, fans are excited to see how this team evolves under Kuehner’s leadership, with the promise of more thrilling matches ahead. Stay tuned for further updates on the Chickasaws as they aim to continue their winning streak in the UIC.
