Facing St. Dominic for the first time as a member of the Archdiocesan Athletic Association, the Borgia basketball Lady Knights picked up a key 52-41 win over their longtime rival Monday.
“I thought we really bounced back from our two losses in the Borgia Tournament,” Borgia Head Coach Stacia Parsell said. “I am so proud of the way this team plays together.”
Borgia (14-6, 4-1) still has three AAA Large Division games to go, but holds a half-game lead over Duchesne in the conference race.
“We are focused on winning a conference title,” Parsell said. “Beating St. Dominic put us one step closer to that goal.”
Borgia visits Duchesne (10-7, 3-1) Wednesday (5:30 p.m. junior varsity start) in a key league showdown.
“I can’t wait to at play at Duchesne on Wednesday,” Parsell said.
The Lady Knights also have home games next Tuesday against Bishop DuBourg (10-9, 3-2) and St. Dominic (9-8, 2-2), which likely will play a role in determining the league winner.
Additionally, the Lady Knights will face St. Charles Lutheran Saturday at St. Dominic in an 8 p.m. AAA Showcase game.
St. Dominic
Borgia renewed its rivalry with the Lady Crusaders, a team they’ve played in district and tournament title contests, Monday night. The game was the first-ever league meeting between the teams.
Borgia came out and established an 11-8 lead after one quarter and doubled that at the intermission, 22-16. Borgia had to rally late after watching the lead nearly disappear close to the end of the half.
Borgia rolled in the third quarter, outscoring St. Dominic by a 17-7 margin to go ahead, 39-25.
St. Dominic rallied in the last quarter, but Borgia was able to hold on.
The Lady Knights were led by their two standouts, junior Janie Arand and senior Katie Lindemann, who combined to score 38 of Borgia’s 52 points.
Arand hit four three-point baskets while netting 20 points. She added three rebounds and two assists.
“Janie Arand has become such a complete player and is comfortable with the role she plays,” Parsell said. “She is leading the conference in scoring.”
Lindemann closed with 18 points, eight rebounds and a steal.
“Katie Lindemann had an outstanding game,” Parsell said. “She takes on so much for us and she handles it with maturity and poise.”
Cassandra Halsted, a sophomore, was next in the scoring column with eight points, seven rebounds and two assists.
“Cassandra Halsted continues to outwork the other team for rebounds,” Parsell said.
Junior Emily Grahl scored four points with six assists, six rebounds and two steals.
“Emily Grahl really put a lot pressure on the St. Dominic guards and caused several turnovers,” said Parsell.
Freshman Megan Jensen scored two points with three rebounds and a blocked shot.
Sophomore Molly Arand did not score, but had four assists, three steals and two rebounds.
Others playing were seniors Morgan Spradling and Madison Wehking and juniors Baylee Godat and Alexis Sine.
Shelby Mueller and Alex Cook tied for the Duchesne scoring lead with eight points apiece.
