Hawks collect WEC win over Lady Rockets

(Sentinel photo by Jesse Geleynse) RSM's Emma Krier drives past R-U's Hailey Loutsch during War Eagle Conference play on Friday in Remsen. [Click to enlarge]

The Remsen St. Mary's girls basketball team had little trouble as it defeated cross-town rival Remsen-Union 47-23 in War Eagle Conference basketball action on Friday at R-U.

Senior Mercedees Ricke led the Hawks with 16 points and six rebounds. She also added four steals. Emma Krier had 14 points and five rebounds to go along with four steals. Stacie Ahlers had three assists and four steals and Makenzie Ricke had seven steals. MacKenzie Hajek added three assists and two steals. Brielle Biezuns had nine points.

Kelsey Hansen had eight points and four rebounds to lead the Lady Rockets. Jen Ruba added seven points, four rebounds, two blocks and three steals. Allison Schreiner and Mary Jo Galles each had four rebounds. Brittany Weikel and Hailey Loutsch each grabbed five rebounds.

"The team is still making fundamental mistakes, but they have shown great improvements in many areas - especially in rebounding," R-U coach Robin Nilles said. "Nine players grabbed rebounds and that is encouraging."

The Hawks led 31-8 at halftime and maintained their lead through the second half to improve to 3-2 overall and 1-0 in WEC play.

R-U fell to 0-3 on the season and 0-1 in WEC play.

"The girls have to step up and take more shots and work at getting open by moving toward the ball," Nilles said. "The girls inexperience is working against them, but they are hard workers and never give up, and with time, they will put it all together."