The West Salem High School girls basketball team lost control of a first-half lead but recovered after Central put it in a hole during Thursday’s nonconference game at the Mark Sutton Memorial Gymnasium.
The Panthers led by 11 points late in the first half before the RiverHawks scrambled their way back into the game with a solid run early in the second. But senior Megan Johnson helped right the ship for West Salem as it recorded a 52-41 victory.
Johnson ended up with 22 points, and Central junior Alahnna Simpson scored a game-high 24 to go with eight rebounds and seven steals — per the Central YouTube broadcast — for the RiverHawks.
Central had just five players score, and Ellie Gillitzer added six points.
Johnson made a free throw to give West Salem a 19-8 lead before the break, and the RiverHawks came back. Chloe Ackerman made a 3-pointer to tie the score at 21, and Central’s ensuing lead was brief.
Josie Brudos and Sydney Quick each added eight points for the Panthers.
Sparta 53, Westby 45
SPARTA — The Spartans (1-1) picked up their first win of the season behind a 23-point performance from junior Elexa Jones, who made three 3-pointers and scored 12 in the first half.
Sparta outscored the Norsemen (0-1) by eight points in the first half and maintained that cushion until the end of the game. Junior Izzy Mickelson added 10 points and scored six in the second half.
Westby had balanced scoring with senior Ali Fortun’s 12 points leading the way. Senior Erin Gluch added 11 and junior Katelyn Benish 10 for the Norsemen.
Bangor 54, Onalaska Luther 22
ONALASKA — The Cardinals (1-1) bounced back from a Tuesday loss at Neillsville thanks to six 3-pointers, 26 points and six rebounds from senior Anna Fronk.
Fronk made 10 of 15 shots and 6 of 10 from the 3-point line for Bangor, which held the Knights (0-1) to six points in the first half while building a 17-point lead. Senior teammate Aubrey Langrehr added 10 points and five rebounds for Bangor.
Luther shot 24.3 percent from the floor, made 1 of 18 3-point attempts and received a team-high six points from senior Avery Jostad.
Menomonie 65, Holmen 44
HOLMEN — The Vikings (0-1) couldn’t dig their way out of a 14-point deficit after one half.
Holmen, which made 1 of 22 3-point attempts, did get within 45-36 midway through the second half, but the Mustangs scored the next nine points for separation.
Sophomore Linley Regan scored 11 points to lead the Vikings.
Cashton 66, G-E-T 26
CASHTON — The Eagles (2-0) won their second game of the week and received a game-high 16 points from sophomore Kennedy Brown. Teammates Taylor Schendel, a senior, added 14.
The Red Hawks (0-2) received a team-high seven points from Joshlynn Lunsford, and Marlee Schroeder scored another eight for Cashton.
Brown averaged 17.5 points during the Eagles’ first two victories.
Wisconsin Rapids 52, Tomah 27
TOMAH — Jordan Brooner scored nine points and Avary Chapman six as the Timberwolves (0-1), who were held to five points in the first half and began their season with a loss.
Altoona 50, Arcadia 40
ARCADIA — The Raiders (1-1) lost their home opener to the Railroaders despite building a 17-5 lead.
Sophomore Madison Grotjahn made three 3-pointers and scored a team-high 14 points for Arcadia, which also received two 3-pointers and nine points from sophomore Amaya Schlesser.
Brookwood 55, North Crawford 39
ONTARIO — Junior Ruby Muehlenkamp scored 14 of her game-high 22 points in the second half for the Falcons (2-0) and averaged 19.5 points in Brookwood’s two victories this week.
Molly Hansen pitched in with 11 points and Reagan Muehlenkamp 10 for the Falcons, who had a 29-17 halftime lead.
Livhe Chamberlain scored 17 points to lead the Trojans (1-1).
Black River Falls 49, Plum City/Elmwood 21
PLUM CITY — Senior Bella Falcon scored 23 points, and teammate Kelley Brown added 12 for the Tigers (1-1) in their first win of the season.
Viroqua 67, Royall 34
VIROQUA — Freshman Allyah Schwem started her career with a 25-point performance to help the Blackhawks start out winners. Junior Emily Hubatch added 20 points for Viroqua.
Layla Marty scored eight points to lead the Panthers (0-2).
Melrose-Mindoro 74, Osseo-Fairchild 60
MELROSE — The Mustangs opened their season with a victory thanks to very balanced scoring.
Sophomore Bristol Coats led Melrose-Mindoro with nine of her team-high 16 points in the second half. Bella Rozek added 12, Calysta Bautch 11 and Anna Radcliffe 10 with a pair of 3-pointers.
River Ridge 38, De Soto 21
PATCH GROVE — The Pirates only made 7 of 40 shots inside the 3-point line to open the season with a loss.
OTHER AREA SCORES
River Valley 59, New Lisbon 29
Necedah 52, Nekoosa 23
Whitehall 67, Eleva-Strum 66
Independence/Gilmanton 59, Alma Center Lincoln 39
Wonewoc-Center 45, La Farge 39
