South Shore knocks off Northwood

The South Shore and Northwood girls basketball teams faced off Tuesday in a rematch of last year’s WIAA Division 5 regional final.

In a game filled with blocks and steals, the Cardinals pulled ahead to claim the 53-44 victory and remain undefeated (11-0). The Evergreens fall to 8-4.

South Shore built a 17-9 lead after the first quarter. Northwood chipped away for the next two quarters, and at the start of the fourth quarter Sarah Benson led off with a free throw and Amber Denninger made a shot in the paint to tie the score at 38-38.

The game remained close until the final two minutes.

With 2:05 to go Northwood trailed 44-41, but a pair of free throws by Emily Gustafson made it a two-possession game. Shortly afterward a personal foul and a technical foul sent Gustafson back to the line where she made 3-of-4 free throws and put the game out of reach with 1:16 left.

South Shore went 12-of-18 in the second half at the line, including 9-of-13 in the fourth quarter. The Cardinals were 15-of-22 from the line for the game, while Northwood was 9-of-14

Benson made five 3-pointers on the night and led all scorers with 18 points.

Megan Gustafson and Emily Gustafson led the Cardinals with 15 and 14 points, respectively.

South Shore 17 12 9 15 — 53

Northwood 9 15 11 9 — 44

SSHS: Megan Gustafson 15, Emily Gustafson 14, Janice Anderson 11, Alyssa Kavajecz 9, Morgan Sorenson 2, Jenna Sorenson 2. 3-pointers—Anderson, Kavajecz.

NHS—Sarah Benson 18, McKayla Waggoner 10, Amber Denninger 6, Elise Burns 5, Morgan Block 5. 3-pointers—Benson 5.

Tags: sports, preps, basketball, updates