BELOIT — Starting the season 1-0 for the first time since 2020, the Concordia High School girls’ basketball team defeated rival Beloit for the first time since 2020, 49-36.
The Panthers started the game fast, scoring six unanswered points to start the game. Despite multiple quality looks from outside, it was the interior attack and defense that were working for the Panthers early. The Concordia defense held the Trojan offense off the board until 3:07 remaining in the first quarter. Multiple errors from the Panther offense hindered the momentum, allowing Beloit to finally build some momentum as the game was tied at the end of the first quarter, 11-11.
Things carried over into the second quarter, with both teams fighting for the lead. Concordia didn’t trail for a second of the quarter after reclaiming the lead thanks to two Jaylin Roush free throws. Beloit was able to keep the game close, with a few ties, and matching the Panthers’ offense was able to keep the game within two possessions. An and-one basket from Stella Trost with under three minutes to go gave them a 23-17 lead, and they entered halftime with a 27-18 lead.
A Rylie Jessup three-ball put the Panthers up 30-18 to open the third quarter. Both defenses did a good job at limiting the offense, with only 16 points being scored total, with Concordia outscoring the Trojans 9-7 to take a 38-25 lead.
Concordia was able to coast in the fourth quarter, with both teams matching each other in scoring for the quarter, 11-11, as Concordia defeated Beloit 49-36.
“It feels really good,” said head coach Trey Kuhlman. “This is my fourth year, the first three years we never won a game to start the season… I thought it was a great team effort.”
There were 50 combined turnovers and 39 fouls in the contest. “We need to take care of the basketball better. Probably half of those turnovers leading to basketball plays, we can live with turnovers like that… we need to be stronger with the ball.”
Gracyn Weaver led in scoring with 11 points and had five rebounds, five assists and three steals.
Marlee VanMeter had 10 points, six rebounds and two steals.
Roush had eight points, five rebounds and a block.
Charlize Cash had six points, 12 rebounds, and five steals with a block.
