SHS girls win opener

The Superior High School girls basketball team opened its season Tuesday with a 80-27 win over Duluth Denfeld.

The Spartans enjoyed a balanced offense as nine players scored and four finished in double figures.

“We had good team chemistry and played very unselfish basketball,” said Phil Roe, head coach of the Spartans. “It was fun to watch.”

Jessica Lindstrom scored the first seven points for Superior and led all scorers for the night with 20 points. She made her first two baskets on put-backs on then completed a three-point play on a steal and layup to give Superior a 7-2 lead.

Alyssa Correll, Abby Clemons, Shannon Johnstad and Alison Wainionpaa then got in on the action as Superior went on a 10-0 run. Wainionpaa, who had to sit out the early minutes of the game with a bloody nose, then scored six of Superior’s next 10 points to put the Spartans up by 20.

Roe said the key to Superior’s success Tuesday came from the extra passes the players made and the high number of assists.

He also praised Superior’s communication on defense and the team’s scrappy play.

“Our goal was to hold Denfeld under 15 points a half,” Roe said. “They got 16 points in the first half, but I can’t really complain about that.”

For the night, Lindstrom had 20 ponts, Johnstad and Wainionpaa both finished with 14 points and Correll had 11 for Superior. Rachal Fregin hit three of Superior’s six 3-pointers to finish with nine points; Hailey Kontny added six; and Abby Clemons, Natalie Kintop and Taylor Nelson had two points each.

Ashley Taipale led Denfeld with nine points and Lexi Hill had six points.

Superior’s next game is Dec. 11 at home against Eau Claire North.

Superior 48 32 — 80

Denfeld 16 11 — 27

Superior — Jessica Lindstrom 20, Shannon Johnstad 14, Alison Wainionpaa 14, Alyssa Correll 11, Rachal Fregin 9, Hailey Kontny 6, Abby Clemons 2, Natalie Kintop 2, Taylor Nelson 2.

3-point goals — Fregin 3, Johnstad 2, Correll.

Denfeld — Ashley Taipale 9, Lexi Hill 6, Becca Hendrickson 2, Ciarra Taipale 2, Megan Lazzaro 2, Cassie Bolen 2, Keara Ballavance 2, Gabby Nordman 2.

3-point goals — A. Taipale.

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