Prescott girls' hoops play for first MBC title Thursday evening

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PRESCOTT - Competing for a conference title seemed the furthest thing from minds of the Prescott team just a few short weeks ago.

Back then they were just trying to win a game.

But the Cardinals got the win they needed (47-35 over Osceola) and have kept on winning since then. And with the teams ahead of them losing (particularly Somerset), PHS is now tied for first place in the Middle Border with Spartans and Amery.

Three teams share the lead in the Middle Border Conference at 9-4. Prescott hosts Somerset Thursday at 7:30 p.m. in Prescott.

PHS head coach John Ott cites several factors in Cardinal late-season flight to the top of the league standings, particularly the play of senior point guard Alyssa Krings.

“She knows what the team has to do to be successful,” Ott said. “A good leader knows strengths and weaknesses and plays to the former. She’s ran our offense very well the past few weeks. We’ve cut down on our turnovers and we’re getting more scoring from Megan Murphy to share the burden with Alyssa.”

Defense too has aided the Redbirds. Against Durand last week, the Cards held the Panthers, 9-10 overall, to just seven points in the third quarter which provided Prescott a lead it held onto tenaciously for the rest of the half by making 18-of-36 free-throws. The Cards also had a big free-throw edge in their win over Ellsworth.

If Prescott can play the same way against Somerset's Ashley Martell, the Cardinals will win their first-ever MBC title.

Middle Border Conference Scoring Leaders

Alyssa Krings, 17.8 points per game; Kelly Stewart, Amery, 17.7 ppg.; Paige Garriga, Osceola, 17.6 ppg.; Ashley Martell, Somerset, 16.7 ppg.; Shannon Campbell, 14.8 ppg.

Dunn-St. Croix Conference Leading Scorers

Josie Hayes, Elk Mound, 14.9 points per game; Cansis Bodsberg, Boyceville, 13.6 ppg.; Kayla Kurtzhals, Elk Mound, 12.5 ppg.; Jenni Gust, Colfax, 12.4 ppg.; Haley Froehlich, Mondovi, 11.0 ppg.

Dunn-St. Croix Conference Leading Rebounders

McKayla Brunner, Elmwood, 8.2 rebounds per game; Kayla Kurtzhals, Elk Mound, 7.7 rpg.; Heather Von Holtum, Plum City, 7.6 rpg.; Cansis Bodsberg, Boyceville, 6.8 rpg.; Nikki Brooks, St. Croix Central, 6.6 rpg.

Dunn-St. Croix Conference Leading Assists/b>

Nikki Brooks, St. Croix Central, 3.3 assists per game; Christina McKune, Elmwood, 2.8 apg.; Lexi Stuart, Boyceville, 2.8 apg.; McKayla Brunner, 2.8 apg.