Prescott girls win first regional title since ’79, PC falls in OT

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AMERY — The Prescott High School girls basketball team had gone 30 years without winning a regional title heading into Saturday night’s final against Boyceville.

And the six seniors on the Cardinals’ roster were bound and determined not to make it 31.

“As seniors, we wanted to go out with a bang,” said Kaycee Charette. “We wanted to play hard every game.”

On Saturday they did play hard. Prescott got the early lead and never relinquished, defeating Boyceville 59-46 in Amery.

Prescott advances to the Sectional Semifinals, where they will play defending champion Colfax at 7 p.m. Friday, in Somerset.

Meanwhile another regional title drought continued as Plum City, which won its last regional title in 1999, fell in overtime to No. 13 ranked Independence 37-36.

Makin’ energy

The Cardinal defense forced at least 15 turnovers, including several in the first quarter that helped them jump out to a 20-9 lead at the end of the quarter.

“Our energy comes from our press,” Prescott coach Matt Smith said. “We have athletes with speed that make it possible and it definitely catapulted us tonight.”

Twelve of those points came from Charette, who finished with a game-high 25. Boyceville had no answer for her as she showed her versatility throughout, scoring from all points on the floor.

“With (Kaycee’s) ability she can do it all. She just comes out ready to play.”

Prescott went into intermission with a 32-21 halftime lead, but Boyceville made a comeback in the third, trimming the lead to five on multiple occasions. Smith then challenged those seniors one more time, at the start of the fourth.

“We had a letdown defensively in the third and I told them (the seniors) we’re going to have to ride you and they stepped up,” he said. “They wanted this all season.”

Prescott went on a 9-0 run to start the fourth, increasing the lead to 16, putting the game out of reach.

The senior group of Charette, Breanna Swan, Chloe Carlson, Katie Simon, Kylie Lytle and Brittany Jilk needed some help though and sophomore Alyssa Krings provided that, finishing with 16 points, including two three-pointers.

“She can have 20 one game and have four the next,” Smith said of Krings. “Lately, though, she’s been stepping up. When the press is going well, she goes well because it fits her aggressive style.”

Jilk also, tossed in 10 points for Prescott. Cansis Bodsberg led Boyceville with 16 points.

Over the top

Independence scored just three points in overtime of the WIAA Division 4 Durand Regional final Saturday. But it was enough to put them over the top against Plum City at Durand High School.

The Blue Devils led at halftime 18-14 in a defensive struggle but the Indees, 20-3 overall, came back to outscore PC 12-8 in the third quarter to take a two-point lead until the Devils were able to outscore Independence in the fourth quarter to force the extra session.

“The girls from both teams gave a great effort,” PC head coach Jason Glampe said.

However missed free-throws down the stretch late in the fourth quarter and in the overtime cost Plum City dearly and gave Independence the chance they needed to win the game.

Ashley Hinrichs led Plum Ciy in scoring with 15 points and Amanda Daleiden had nine points to go with seven rebounds. Teammate Kayla Kernstock scored six points.

Foul trouble hurt the Devils as they had two starters foul out.

Jenna Brandt led Independence with 15 points.

Tags: sports, prescott, girls, basketball, boyceville