The Adrian/Ellsworth Dragon girls basketball team ended their season on Monday, February 24th, in Worthington during a final four sub section game with a final score of 79-48.
The Dragons came out in a 2-3 zone in an attempt to stop the tough post game the SWC Eagles would bring, but little to no footwork defense by the Dragons and good shooting by the Eagles made the Dragons quickly change their game plan. Once switching to man defense the Dragons were able to slow down the shooting outside the 3 point arch for the Eagles, but the mismatch down low was too big for the Dragons to overcome defensively. Maren Nerem and Jazzlyn Prins dominated the Dragons defense, both putting up 16 points a piece. While Cybil VanderTop put up 11 and Makenna Moss had 10.
Offensively it was the biggest struggle the Dragons had shooting wise all season long, and unfortunately for the team it was at the worst possible time. The A/E girls shot only 21% from the block, making only 12 of 56 attempts. The girls were running the offense exactly how they were suppose to, getting great wide open looks at the hoop, shots just couldn’t fall. Once the girls couldn’t get shots to fall not only did it become a physical battle with SWC, but a mental battle within themselves.
For the Dragons Senior, Ashlyn Meester had 14 points and was 8-11 from the Free Throw line. Senior, Kallie Chapa had five points and seven rebounds and was 75% from FT line. Senior, Moriah Bullerman had seven points and three steals for the team and was 100% from the line. While Senior, Bailey Lonneman had seven points for the Dragons.
This was a year of change for the Dragons, but it was a year of good change. Neither school would have seen the success this program had if it weren’t for the combining. Even though the road had a few bumps along the way the girls found a way to work together for a common good and were able to start building a program of possibilities for years to come.
The Dragons graduate eight seniors this year: Moriah Bullerman, Ashlyn Meester, Kallie Chapa, Jennifer Preuss, Morgan Dreesen, Kasie Tweet, Bailey Lonneman, and Kristina Cauwels. All of which are big shoes underclassmen can look forward to filling. This summer will be filled with building a new/young team but if the girls are determined on working in the off season the Dragons can come back being just as strong as they were this year.
