Leah Reierson drives by two South Winn Warriors on Thursday, Feb. 6, in West Union. The NFV senior led the team in rebounds with five and hit the only TigerHawk 3-pointer of the game; she also led the team in steals with four. (Jerry Wadian photo)

By Jerry Wadian
Sports Editor
jwadian@thefayettecountyunion.com

It was an exhausting week for the North Fayette Valley girls’ basketball squad, playing five games in six days. In fact, the girls have played seven games over the last nine days.

“We never even had time to get a practice in,” stated head coach Sean Leonard.

The TigerHawks went 1-4 on the week, winning the final game, Saturday, Feb. 8, over Wapsie Valley, 42-28.

“We finally got off to a fast start,” stated Leonard after the home victory against Wapsie.

NFV bolted to a 12-3 lead after eight minutes. Wapsie got to within two at one pointing, but the TigerHawks refused to fold under the pressure, and a big 12-3 final quarter put the icing on the cake for the TigerHawks.

Eight of the 10 girls who dressed for the game scored. Shelby Lehmann scored 10 of NFV’s first 12 points and finished with 14 points in the game.

Complete game statistics were not available at press time for either of the weekend games.

WV 3 12 10 3 28 NFV 12 11 7 12 42

Friday, the girls lost a 48-44 thriller at home against Turkey Valley.

“We played as hard as a team can play,” noted Leonard afterwards.

NFV was down early by as many as 14 points, but rallied to almost pull out the game.

Trailing by two with a minute to play, the TigerHawks missed a trey. Shortly after that, they fouled and TV made the free throws to salt the game away.

Becca Miller led NFV with 16 points; Kim rounds added 12 points.

TV 10 13 13 12 48 NFV 9 9 8 18 44

Earlier in the week, NFV lost three conference games at Ed-Co (59-37) and at home to Clayton Ridge (60-36) and South Winn (42-22).

NFV kicked off the week at Ed-Co on Monday, Feb. 3. The TigerHawks hung with the Vikings through the first half but faltered over the final 16 minutes.

Lehmann led the scoring for NFV with eight points. Rounds added seven, while Hanna Moser and Jade Daughton scored six points apiece.

NFV 6 11 10 10 37

E-C 13 11 23 12 59

NFV (37)- Lehmann, 8; Rounds, 7; Moser, 6; Daughton, 6; Miller, 4; Reierson, 4; Mackey, 2. 3-pointers- Rounds. Rebounds- Mackey, 5; Lehmann, 5; Kaeppel, 3; Miller, 3; Daughton, 3; Moser, 3; Wolverton, 2; Rounds, 2; Reierson, 2; Johansen. Assists- Miller, 2; Daughton, Wolverton, Rounds, Kaeppel, Lehmann. Steals- Miller, 4; Kaeppel, 3; Daughton, 2; Moser, 2; Lehmann, Wolverton, Rounds. Blocks- Lehmann, 2; Moser, Miller.

The next night, NFV hosted powerful Clayton Ridge. The visiting Eagles had far too much fire power, leading from start to finish.

Regan Wolverton was the top scorer for NFV with 10 points; Lehmann added eight points and seven rebounds.

CR 18 15 12 15 60

NFV   8 10 14 4 36

NFV (36)- Wolverton, 10; Lehmann, 8; Moser, 5; Miller, 5; Daughton, 4; Rounds, 2; Kaeppel, 2. 3-pointers- Rounds, Miller. Rebounds- Lehmann, 8; Johansen, 5; Kaeppel, 3; Moser, 3; Miller, 2; Rounds, 2; Mackey. Assists- Miller, 4; Daughton, Wolverton, Lehmann. Steals- Kaeppel, 2; Daughton, Wolverton, Lehmann. Blocks- Lehmann, Moser, Miller.

Thursday, the TigerHawks hosted South Winn.

NFV started with a 9-6 lead after the first eight minutes. The TigerHawks made it 11-6 in the first two minutes of the second quarter, but the offense went very, very quiet for the next 12 minutes, and NFV trailed, 35-15, going into the final quarter of play.

Miller led the NFV scoring with nine points. Leah Reierson led the rebounding effort with five boards, while Josie Mackey, Wolverton, and Lehmann each hauled down four.

SW 6 9 20 7 42

NFV 9 2 4 7 22

NFV (22)- Miller, 9; Lehmann, 4; Reierson, 3; Rounds, 2; Wolverton, 2; Mackey, 2. 3-pointer- Reierson. Rebounds- Reierson, 5; Mackey, 4; Wolverton, 4; Lehmann, 4; Miller, 3; Moser, 2; Johansen, 2; Kaeppel. Assists- Miller, Rounds, Kaeppel. Steals- Reierson, 4; Miller, 2; Moser, Mackey. Blocks- Lehmann, Miller.

NFV opens Regional play Saturday against second-ranked Crestwood in Cresco. Game time will be 7 p.m.