LA CROSSE — Aquinas High School girls basketball coach Dave Donarski has a much better idea of what kind of team he commands just four days after playing its first game.
The Blugolds have played nothing but state-ranked opponents since Friday, and while Donarski might just be confirming his expectations, he hopes the players are gaining confidence.
Aquinas used an aggressive defense, a patient offense and another big game from senior Sammy Davis to beat Madison Edgewood 53-45 at the Reinhart Athletic Complex on Tuesday.
Davis had 21 points and nine rebounds, juniors Ava Fernholz and Eva Willenbring limited University of Wisconsin commit Anna Miller’s opportunities, and senior Alaina Elias turned seven steals into four layups as last year’s WIAA Division 2 runner-up was beaten in its first game of the season.
“For three-quarters of the game, we did everything we wanted,” Donarski said. “Eva Willenbring and)Ava Fernholz’s ability to make it tough on their best player was critical.
“I thought Anna Miller was great. She took eight shots and scored 14 points, but she makes that whole team go. We were able to jam her up and put it to where, ‘Who’s the next kid to make a play?’ That’s exactly what we needed.”
The Blugolds (2-1), who started their season with a loss to Kettle Moraine Lutheran — ranked sixth in Division 3 of the Bound/Zaleski Sports Media Poll — have followed up with a win over Stevens Point Pacelli — third in Division 5 — and now Edgewood — first in Division 2.
Aquinas is ranked ninth in Division 3.
The Blugolds led the entire game and scored 16 of the final 22 points in the first half to take a 27-16 lead to the break.
The Crusaders made their last field goal of the first half with 9 minutes, 47 seconds on the clock to get within 11-10, but Aquinas scored 15 of the next 17 points. Davis converted a pass from Willenbring for a 26-12 lead.
Fernholz added 11 points and eight rebounds and Elias eight points for Aquinas, which made just eight turnovers after opening the season with more than 20 in the loss to Kettle Moraine Lutheran.
“In the first game, we had a lot of first-game jitters,” said Davis, who is averaging 24.7 points and 10.7 rebounds per game. “I feel liked we picked it up in the second game, and this was huge for us because they are number 1 in Division 2.
“That’s not an easy team to play.”
Elias had three steals that turned into layups in the first half and spearheaded an effort that included 14 steals.
“She flies all over and can set the tone for us,” Davis said of Elias. “If she has energy, we’ll all have energy. That’s what we need for this team, and that’s what we need on defense.”
