WHS girls, boys basketball teams lose to Western Christian on Tuesday
Jan. 4—WORTHINGTON — The Worthington High School girls and boys basketball teams each played their first game of 2024 Tuesday in a home doubleheader against Iowa's Western Christian.
Both the Trojan teams wound up losing to the Wolfpack. The girls team lost by 10 points, while the boys team took a 23-point loss.
Here is a recap of both games.
Girls Basketball
A slow start to the second half stalled the Worthington Trojans girls basketball team in a 62-52 loss to Western Christian.
The Trojans led 24-23 at halftime. The Wolfpack started the second half with a 22-3 scoring run and scored many second-chance points by outrebounding the Trojans.
Senior Janessa Hamann fell into early foul trouble for WHS. Hamann had three fouls come in the first half.
Scoring a game high 31 points for the Trojans was senior Newyouman Gora. Gora scored 13 points in the first half and 18 points in the second half. Gora drew three 'and one' free throws and went to the line an additional three times. Gora scored most of her points on drives to the basket.
Scoring 12 points was twin sister Pham Gora. Madison Beckmann had four steals and Regan Schaefer had five rebounds.
The Wolfpack had eight girls score.
The Trojans worked the score, but were unable to catch up in time.
Western Christian 23 62
Worthington 24 52
Boys Basketball
The Western Christian Wolfpack threw down 100 points in a road victory over Worthington boys basketball. The Trojans lost 100-77.
The Wolfpack had 11 players score and played disciplined basketball on both ends of the court. The Wolfpack and Trojans traded early blows, with Zach Hayenga swishing a three to give Worthington some momentum. Hayenga led the Trojans in scoring with 23 points.
But the Wolfpack remained consistent and diverse on offense. After troubling the Trojans early with middle drives, WHS adjusted to protect the lanes and interior. Western Christian also adjusted with a flurry of trey balls.
"I thought we competed really well for most of the game but when they can sub five in (and) five out, (then) run different pressure at — it's tough, so you have to be in great condition," said WHS head coach Clint Meyer. "I thought we did some good things, but they shot the ball tremendously well from outside tonight, they're a good team."
The Trojans ran into foul trouble with starter Jacari Swinea picking up three first half fouls. Swinea had 12 points in the first half but was limited from there out. Kaleb Knothe had a vintage performance with 12 points and Andrew Mulder scored 17. The Trojans had just two players score off the bench, with fellow starter Mak Lia.
"We've got some inexperienced players there, so we're still trying to figure out who can step up and contribute for us coming off the bench," said Meyer. "Tuck(er Brandner) and Permeye Okony have done a good job for us, and Caleb (Meyer) and Welbaka (Morke) when they have been needed. We have to be able to rely on those guys when we get in foul trouble so we don't lose too much. But they are young, they are learning."
The Trojans second half of the season started with a holiday tournament in Fergus Falls, MN. The Trojans won their first game against Henning 80-56.
Hayenga was the leading scorer in that game with 31 points, Jacari Swinea had 22 points. Andrew Mulder had 12 points.
In their second game at the tournament the Trojans fell to host Fergus Falls 65-36.
"We can't take any nights off especially against good teams (that) are scheduled (it) doesn't get any easier," said Meyer on the remaining games which includes section opponents Mankato West, New Ulm and Marshall. "We have got Mankato West this Saturday in a big section game. We haven't put together a complete game, we've seen glimpses here and there but really we've yet to put together a full defensive effort where our offensive is going at the same time — we haven't gotten there yet. So we just have to keep battling, watch film and see where we can improve to get ready for Saturday."
Western Christian 55 100
Worthington 41 77
