Horizon girls move into second-place in league standings after back-to-back wins

The biggest factor for the girls in this game was the amount of looks they were able to get on the offensive end.

As a team, the girls ended with 73 shot attempts and 16 free throw attempts.

From the field, it wasn’t a pretty performance putting the ball in the hoop, as they were 20-73 as a team, but from the free throw line, they were locked in, knocking down 12-16.

Despite the struggles to efficiently score, the girls were very strong on the offensive boards and it led to easy put-back opportunities at the hoop.

The girls ended with 27 offensive rebounds on the night versus Ione, which was as many rebounds they ended with on the defensive end as well.

Those 27 offensive rebounds were crucial in the Hawks’ 52 points Friday evening as they had a lot of second-chance opportunities.

Junior guard Kaitlin Wenz was the Hawks leading scorer with 22 points versus Ione. But Wenz was much more than just the leading scorer for Horizon — she ended with a double-double as she had 17 total rebounds, seven of which were offensive, eight steals, five assists and three blocks.

Wenz wasn’t the only Hawk with a double-double versus Ione. Sophomore Fiona Marsalis would get in on it as well. Marsalis had 17 points, including 9-10 from the free throw line, and 14 total rebounds, 10 of which were offensive.

And for Marsalis, she was able to take Friday’s night performance and bring in that confidence with her to Spray/Mitchell on Feb. 3.

Marsalis led the Hawks to a 56-34 win last Saturday over Spray/Mitchell and had another double-double, but this time she would put up a team-high 27 points on an efficient 13-19 shooting from the field and 11 rebounds. Marsalis also led the Hawks in steals with five.

Senior Alexis Ruiz would stuff the stat sheet for the Hawks with 10 points, five rebounds, five assists, four blocks and three steals.

Also, another stat sheet stuffer against Spray/Mitchell was Wenz, who had eight points, five rebounds, five assists, four steals, and one block.

Upcoming games:

The girls have a crucial final two games ahead of them that will decide if they’re second place in the league standings or out of the top-four.

Next up for the girls is an away matchup with Condon/Wheeler on Friday, Feb. 9. Condon/Wheeler is currently 4-8 this season and in sixth place in the league.

With a win or loss versus Condon/Wheeler, the girls will end the season at home versus a Sherman team that’s currently tied with Horizon and Ione for second place in the league with an 8-4 record. This game is scheduled for tip-off at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 10.

Districts tournament date to be announced after Saturday’s game.