Young Henning team opens season with seven losses

Photo by Jenny Hoppe
Addison Bode drives down the court during Henning’s game in Sebeka on Tuesday, Dec. 17.

The Henning girls basketball team ended up only having one game last week due to the weather getting Thursday’s scheduled game postponed. That game will now be made up on Monday, Feb. 17 with the JV starting at 5 p.m. and Varsity to follow at 6 p.m. 

The girls traveled to Sebeka on Tuesday for a conference game against the Trojans. Sebeka has a very experienced group of players even though they are battling some injuries. The Hornets got off to a great start against Sebeka, but that experience including Senior Annika Pulju who scored her 1,000th career point, ended up being the difference in a 73-44 loss.  

As head coach Mike Hepola stated earlier, the Hornets got off to a nice start, held a lead early in the first half. They were only down by 8 points late in the first half, before a string of turnovers and made shots by Sebeka gave them a 34-20 halftime lead.  The second half started off with the teams going back and forth until halfway through it Sebeka was able to pull away and take the 73-44 victory.

Individually, Henning was led offensively by freshman Alivia Emter with a career high 19 points including a hot night shooting 5-6 on 3-point shots. Sophomore Callie Thompson joined her in double figures finishing with 10 points.  

Senior Lila Thorson finished with 7 points and junior Isabelle Godding had her best offensive game finishing with 4 points.  Rounding out the scoring were Brynn Reinbold with 3 points and Stella Iliff with 1 point. Reinbold led the team with 7 rebounds while Thompson led with 2 steals and co-led the team along with Alivia Emter with 2 assists each.  

The loss drops Henning’s record to 0-7 on the season, which Hepola said will look to improve upon in the new year. He said this young group will continue to work and they are hoping to come out of the Christmas break ready to show that improvement and get some wins. 

Individual stats

Callie Thompson 10 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals

Alivia Emter 19 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal

Brynn Reinbold 3 points, 7 rebounds, 1 steal

Tiffany Weber 1 rebound

Addison Bode 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal

Abbigale Godding 3 rebounds, 1 assist

Lila Thorson 7 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal

Isabelle Godding 4 points, 2 rebounds

Stella Iliff 1 point, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal