By By ADAM FISHER / Niles Daily Star
In the first half of Thursday's home game against Paw Paw, Niles' varsity girls basketball team allowed the Redskins to stay close with free throws.
But when Paw Paw pulled to within three points of Niles at 20-17, the Vikings offense finally woke up.
The Vikings went on a 21-6 run in the final six minutes of the half to blow the game wide open en rout to a 76-31 stomping of the Redskins.
The Vikings are known for their aggressive defense, but against Paw Paw, that aggression translated to foul-trouble in the first half. The Redskins hit 16-of-19 free throws in the half to stay within striking distance of Niles.
But, with 6:11 remaining in the second quarter, Niles head coach Jim Arnold brought junior forward Sarah Dreher back into the game and the Vikings took off. They scored six quick points on buckets from Brandie Radde, Amber Peters and Dreher.
The real spark came with 2:44 left in the second, when Peters stole the ball from a Paw Paw player at half-court, then drove to the hole, hit her shot and was fouled.
The run gave Niles a 41-23 lead at halftime. The lead came despite the Vikings committing 14 fouls in the first half and turning the ball over eight times in the second quarter alone. Paw Paw was in the double-bonus with 6:11 remaining in the half.
Arnold and Dreher both said they were surprised Niles was up by so much with such poor play in that second quarter. Neither expected to win by 45 points, they said.
Dreher, who led the Vikings with 21 points, said once the Redskins made it a close game, her team picked up the pace and didn't worry about the score.
Dreher also had 12 rebounds for her fifth double-double in five games this season. She led Niles in its scoring runs in the second and third quarter, although she started the game not hitting her shot.
Niles came out in the third quarter and picked up where they left off at halftime. The Vikings outscored Paw Paw 29-2 in the period. In the third quarter, though, Niles benefitted from the foul calls the Redskins received in the second quarter.
The Vikings hit 12-of-15 free throws in the quarter. Arnold said the trips to the line came from Niles' offense attacking more.
The Vikings got active on the defensive end as well. Niles limited Paw Paw to 1-of-11 shooting in the third period and numerous turnovers that translated into Viking points. The Redskins also shot 1-of-11 in the second quarter.
Paw Paw hit six field goals in the entire game, three in the first half and three in the second.
With 1:41 remaining in the third quarter, a pair of free throw from Niles' Rebecca Teske gave the Vikings a 41-point lead and the rest of the game was played with a running clock.
The junior varsity and freshman teams also won big Thursday against Paw Paw. The JV won 39-21 and was led by Amanda Pingel with nine points.
The freshmen, though, enjoyed the biggest win of the night, scoring four times as many points as Paw Paw in a 44-11 victory. Kaylynn Stephenson had 12 points for Niles.
Niles………………..76
Paw Paw…………..31
PP - Brianne Wood 0 3-4 3, Carey Jeschke 0 0-0 0, Leah Sweet 0 4-5 0, Alison Boff 1 0-0 2, Ashley Schinske 2 9-10 14, Kirsten Smith 1 0-0 2, Haleigh Gokey 1 0-0 2, Whitney Zoll 0 0-0 0, Kelly Curtis 0 0-2 0, Jeanette Benzie 0 2-2 2, Rachel Masztak 1 0-1 2, Nichole Wolbers 0 0-0. Totals: 6 18-24 31.
NHS - Ashley Pingel 2 0-0 5, Amber Peters 5 7-11 17, Meghan Scameheorn 0 1-2 1, Leigh Tyler 1 0-0 2, Brandie Radde 8 2-2 20, Sarah Dreher 6 9-1321, Stephanee Schrader 0 2-2 2, Jessica Shinsky 0 0-0 0, Kate Whittaker 0 1-2 1, Becca Teske 0 2-2 2, Melissa Olsen 2 1-2 5. Totals: 24 25-35 76.
PP 11 23 25 31 - 31
NHS 18 41 70 76 - 76
Halftime score - NHS 41, PP 23
3-point shooting - PP 1 (Schinske); NHS 3 (Radde 2, Pingel) Fouls (fouled out) - PP 24 (none); NHS 20 (none). Records - PP 3-4; NHS 5-0.