RHS girls try to stay positive
RANDOLPH — The positive vibe that has seemed to permeate Randolph High School girls sports in the year of the pandemic continues on the basketball court, even if results aren’t as fruitful as hoped.
The Lady Cardinals (2- 9, 0-1) dropped two tough decisions at home, falling 52-41 to Homer and 47-22 to Creighton.
Jaiden Taylor had 17 points and eight rebounds in the loss to Homer, Taylor also had eight rebounds.
She also was the big provider in the loss to Creighton, scoring 12 points while Gracie Eledge added five points and Emmalee Harder added five rebounds.
“The girls played a lot better this week in both games even though we weren’t able to come away with victories,” Randolph head coach Marcus Papenhausen said. “Against Homer we were right there in the game, but just had a couple lapses defensively that they were able to convert and we couldn’t catch up. Their height inside was a disadvantage to us as well. I was real pleased with the girls’ effort.”
Poor shooting hurt the Cards on Friday.
“Against Creighton, we just missed too many shots that we need to convert. We shot 15 percent for the game and quite a few of those were shots in the paint. For most part of the game we played good defense too.”
Randolph played at Hartington-Newcastle Tuesday and travels to Wausa Friday and will host Winside next week.
“We have two very tough conference matchups this week. But I know if we play defense and take care of the ball like we did in the two games this week and then can get some shots to fall we can come away with two victories,” Papenhausen said. “We are looking forward to getting on the court again and getting a victory.
The girls have been doing a lot better lately in controlling the pace of the game and handling pressure.
“Also, with the record that we have it would be easy for the girls to give up during games and not go hard in practice, but the girls’ teamwork and effort have been awesome. So, I’m real proud of the girls, but I’m wanting to be real proud after victories,” Papenhausen said.
Senior Natalie Munter has seen her game expand during her final year wearing the Randolph uniform.
“She has really been finding her groove offensively,” Papenhausen said. “She is looking to score more and get to the hoop. She is needed in the scoring column, so it has been great to see her get going.”
Munter said her attitude is a byproduct of recognizing her senior year is winding down and there is a need to play every game with a level of creativity and convention.
“It started about the week before the first game and it was like, let’s try something new like drive to the basket and see how it turns out,” Munter said. “It’s definitely better, but I always want more.”
She also thinks the team’s offense and communication are improving.
The Lady Cardinals seem to have gotten a bit smoother at playing the game out as the year has gone on.
“Our effort is there: That is not a question,” she said. “We just need to keep running our offense, look for easier baskets and try to not take harder shots. The problem comes when we get impatient and start getting rushed.”
Randolph 8 12 9 12—41
Homer 14 14 8 16—52
SCORING
Randolph - Jaiden Taylor, 17; Gracie Eledge, 8; Natalie Munter, 8; Emmalee Harder, 4; Keely Pinkelman, 2; Erin Engel, 2.
REBOUNDS
Randolph - Jaiden Taylor, 7; Emmalee Harder, 5; Natalie Munter, 4; Ariel Fye, 3l Keely Pinkelman, 2; Gracie Eledge, 1; Jenna Albers, 1; Grace Nordhues, 1.
ASSISTS
Randolph - Natalie Munter, 5; Jaiden Taylor, 2; Keely Pinkelman, 2; Emmalee Harder, 1; Grace Nordhues, 1.
STEALS
Randolph - Jaiden Taylor, 3; Natalie Munter, 2; Gracie Eledge, 1; Arial Fye, 1; Keely Pinkelman, 1.
Randolph 3 2 10 7—22
Creighton 7 7 19 14—47
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