Medford Opens Season with Hard-Fought Victory

The Medford girls basketball team opened their season with a key section match up Monday night, topping Lake Crystal-Welcome Memorial 64-55. Each team won more than 20 games last season and return most of those lineups this winter. The Tigers and Knights are both in Section 2AA, meaning the first game of the season might have seeding consequences at the end of the season.

Neither team gave the other an easy shot early on with many empty trips up and down the floor. LCWM built a little bit of a lead in the first half, but the Tigers edged forward 27-25 going into halftime.

Medford led most of the second half but the Knights grabbed the advantage briefly a couple of times. Medford's Emma Knieffel scored 19 points, 13 in the second half. Knieffel is Medford's all-time leading scorer in girls basketball history and is closing in on the overall mark as well.

Izzy Reuvers scored 16. Katie Dylla added 15. Kiley Nihart put in 12. Those four players accounted for all but two of Medford's points. The Tigers went 10-for-13 at the free throw line. Medford (1-0) plays at NRHEG Tuesday night and against United South Central in Wells Friday.

Medford's game against Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton that was postponed by winter weather on November 26 is rescheduled to January 6 in Medford.

Tiger fans can stop by the gym frequently this week for home varsity sports. Tuesday, December 3 the boys basketball team entertains St. Clair in their season opener. Thursday the wrestlers host United South Central. Friday the boys basketball team is back to action hosting USC.

LCWM (0-1) also had four players take care of nearly all their scoring. Lakesha Carter, who left the game with an ankle injury but returned, led the Knights with 16. Olivia Harazin chipped in 14. Katelin Flack added 13. Alexis Cloyd scored 10 points.