Gophers Girls Win Two, Head to Christmas at 8-2

They’ll head to Christmas with the most wins of any Journal 11 team.  Brian Baum’s Lady Chatfield Lady Gophers aren’t super far from being 10-0.  They’ve lost two close games (50-47, 65-60 in 2 OT) to quality opponents (D-E, PEM).   The last days before the holiday break, Chatfield picked up two more wins over section foes.  On Monday, Chatfield hosted and downed Pine Island, 69-31.  Five Gophers scored eight points or more; Zayda Priebe (15 pts, 7-11 FGs, 4 rebs), Tessa McMahon (13 pts, 3-6 threes, 5 asts), Kara Goetzinger (12 pts, 6-9 FGs, 4 rebs), Jaiden Zimmerman (10 pts, 3 stls), and Shea Jech (8 pts, 8 rebs).  The Gophers (7-2) then hosted Caledonia (4-3) in a key cross-divisional TRC match-up.  It was a well-played offensive game.  The first half had seven ties.  Neither team led by more than four.  The Gophers led 32-30 at intermission.  The second half had one tie, 40-40.  The Gophers then made four straight field goals, three by junior forward Kara Goetzinger.  A 9-3 run ensued, stoking a 49-42 Chatfield lead.  The lead remained in single digits. Caledonia got as close as three at 52-49.  After an Ava Privet three, the score was 58-54 Gophers with 0:26 left.  Chatfield left the door open by missing two free throws, but the Warriors couldn’t convert on their end.  Time ticked away.  Chatfield prevailed 59-54.  Four Gophers hit double figures: Peyton Berg (14 pts, 3-7 threes, 4 asts), Priebe (13 pts, 6-8 FGs), Goetzinger (12 pts, 9 rebs), and McMahon (10 pts, 5 rebs, 7 asts).  Berg hit her three trifectas in the first half.  Goetzinger had 8 (pts) and 8 (rebs) after halftime.  Reserve guard Sydney Allen added a three each half (6 pts, 2-2 FGs).  The Warriors were led by Privet, who had a game-high (20 pts, 3-10 threes).  Alexis Schroeder (17 pts, 3-10 threes, 5 rebs) and Paige Klug (10 pts) also got to double figures.  The trio scored 47 of Caledonia’s 54 points.   Chatfield shot 22 of 44 (50%) from the field and 8 of 21 (38%) from deep.  They assisted 19 of 22 field goals.  Caledonia shot 20 of 56 (36%) and 8 of 32 (25%).  After grabbing 10 offensive rebounds and scoring 13 second-chance-points in the first half, Caledonia had four for two points after halftime.  Chatfield improves to 3-2, 8-2.  Caledonia fell to 2-3, 4-4.