Hall drops opener

OREGON — Falling behind 19-3 against Milledgeville in the opening game of the Oregon Tip-Off Tournament, Hall’s girls’ basketball team never would recover Wednesday. Milledgeville eventually made it a running clock in the fourth quarter, winning 55-23.

“It was first game jitters,” Hall coach Dave Kain said. “We were like a deer in headlights. With such a young team (two sophomore and two junior starters), I was afraid we’d come out like this.”

It was Kain’s first game as new varsity coach and the first one for Hall in three years without (graduated) Lindsay Wallaert, Erin Polte and Carly Prokup in the line-up.

“It’s hard to replace those three,” stressed Kain.

The Lady Red Devils struggled more on the offensive side than on the defensive. Milledgeville forced numerous turnovers and disrupted the flow of Hall’s offense most of the game.

“Our press hurt them at the start,” Milledgeville coach John Nesemeier said. “We were able to pack it in on them.”

Keali Engelkens, a ball-hawking point guard, led the Lady Missiles with 16 points, but made her presence felt more on defense.

“She’s our leader. She’s very quick and had a lot of steals,” Nesemeier said.

Hillary and Brigette Klein had seven and six points for Hall.

“I thought Kelly (Nett) also did a nice job for us,” Kain said. “Our defense in the second half was the most positive thing for us.”

“Hall’s physical and strong,” Nesemeier said. “They’re scrappy - I’ll give them that.”

Hall’s next tournament game is 7:15 p.m. Friday against Prophetstown. The tournament concludes Saturday.

“If we get out of here 2-2, I’d be ecstatic,” Kain said.

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