Lady Cards get new season off to a good start

OSMOND — Following a nightmare finish to the volleyball season, the Randolph Lady Cardinal basketball team was feeling pretty good about getting back to competing.

After the fall season was disrupted late with massive quarantines stalling a strong roll in volleyball, the Lady Cardinals opened up the new hoops campaign with an emphatic 45-36 win over Osmond Friday.

Jaiden Taylor scored 13 points and added eight rebounds, while Gracie Eledge and Keely Pinkelman both poured in 10 points apiece.

Randolph Coach Marcus Pappenhausen said free throw shooting made a big difference in this one. The Lady Cards connected on 18-31 free throws.

“I believe that led us to win the game,” Pappenhausen said. “It was a close game throughout, but being able to convert the free throws at the end of the game led us to victory.” Pinkelman was pleased with her

Pinkelman was pleased with her team’s performance, especially after trailing 8-0 out of the gate to tie it at the break.

“In the beginning we were struggling with rebounding since they have a big girl in the middle,” Pinkelman said. “We also focused on passing the ball better. It was our first game so we were rusty, and we had plenty of turnovers that definitely can be fixed. But they can be fixed, and we still won the game.”

Next up is a home date Thursday against state-rated Ponca and a road game Saturday at Laurel-Concord-Coleridge.

“We have a very tough week ahead with what I believe to be two, Top 10 teams in Class C2,” Pappenhausen said. “We just need to do what we do and not worry about who we are facing and continue to improve on what we need to. If we can control what we can control things will hopefully go in our favor.

The team is off to a good start, Coach Pappenhausen said.

“After one game I could definitely see the growth in our team. Last year this might have been a game we dropped but our experience paid off. The girls have been working hard and are determined to have a good season.”

Pinkelman said that it was nice to get back to the court and felt even a bit “COVID free,” during the girls first night out – even if masking up on the bench was a stark reminder.

“I admit, I just put my towel over my face when I was on the bench,” she said. “In the moment for us, and I at least, forgot about COVID while we were playing. I haven’t actually gotten COVID so I am not immune, I guess, so I am going to hope that won’t happen. We have to all live life and if it happens, it happens. We definitely have people who can step up if someone does have to sit out.”

SCORING

Randolph - Jaiden Taylor, 13; Gracie Eledge, 10; Keely Pinkelamn, 10; Natalie Munter, 6; Ariel Fye, 2; Erin Engle, 2. Osmond - Cali Gutz, 16; Grace Gansebom, 9; Macy Aschoff, 8; Kiera Moes, 2; Elissa Herera, 1.

REBOUNDS

Randolph - Jaiden Taylor, 8; Emmalee Harder, 3; Erin Engle, 3; Gracie Eledge, 3; Natalie Munter, 3; Keely Pinkelman, 2; Ariel Fye, 2; Jenna Albers, 1. Osmond - Macy Aschoff, 8; Kiera Moes, 8; Grace Gansebom, 7; Elisa Herrera, 5; Cali Gutz, 2; Bailey Schmit, 2; Hayle Kreinert, 1.

ASSISTS

Randolph - Jaiden Taylor, 2; Areil Fye, 2; Gracie Eledge, 1. Osmond - Macy Aschoff, 2; Kiera Moes, 2; Bailey Schmit, 1.

STEALS

Randolph - Keely Pinkelman, 5; Natalie Munter, 3; Jaiden Taylor, 3; Erin ‘engle, 3; Emmalee Harder, 1; Gracie Eledge, 1. Osmond - Kiera Moes, 3; Grace Gansebom, 2; Elisa Herrera, 2; Cali Gutz, 2; Tessa Gardner, 1; Hayle Krienert, 1; Macy Aschoff, 1.

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