Christian boys endure long break; two players make all-state football team

PREP NOTEBOOK

ANNA SPLITTGERBER helps Lutheran end its losing skid. – Photo by Jenni Pickel

The Sheboygan Lutheran girls basketball team’s 28-game losing streak came to an end Dec. 14 thanks to a 49-38 victory at Central Wisconsin Christian.

They won their first game last year and lost the remaining 22 on their schedule, and then got off to an 0-6 start this season.

“One of the things I think we have done a really good job of this year is we haven’t talked about last year at all,” coach Mike Scheele said. “I haven’t mentioned it a whole lot, either. We’ve really focused on the start of a fresh season. It’s a brand-new beginning and it’s a new year. What are we going to do with those chances in front of us?”

What Anna Splittgerber did was score a career-high 20 points in the win.

Rose Hahn added 10 points, five rebounds, five steals and four assists, and Alex Stricker tallied eight points, eight boards and five assists.

It was the second straight game Splittgerber, a junior, sank 6 three-pointers.

“She’s had a tremendous beginning of the season shooting the three-ball,” Scheele said. “I think she’s close to 40% right now on threes. And a lot of that goes to she’s got a really nice shot and she’s very confident.

“But her teammates are doing good job of making an extra pass or recognizing her effectiveness shooting that basketball. They’re finding her, which is great.”

Splittgerber, who played in 11 games last season because of a lingering volleyball injury, has had just one bad game shooting from beyond the arc.

“Our conversation was really pretty easy: ‘Shoot or shoot,’” Scheele said. “It would be interesting if you could take 40% out of that game and see where she would be right now.”

EAGLES FINALLY PLAY

The Christian boys basketball squad traveled to Manitowoc Lutheran Monday for their first game since Dec. 22. It also has games today, Thursday, Saturday, Monday and Tuesday.

“We didn’t go as hard (at all of the practices), but then again, I don’t have a lot of practice time this week,” coach Brett Flipse said. “But we had more practice now than we did before our first game.”

At least Christian got to savor its first victory over their break by beating Central Wisconsin Christian by three points after losing its first six contests.

Brandon LeMahieu scored a career-high 14 points after entering the game with a total of 13 on the season. Sam Hendrikse also had 14 and Noah Heinen’s 10 was his personal best.

“It was a good win,” Flipse said. “That team was 4-1.”

MORE FOOTBALL AWARDS

Kohler/Lutheran/Christian football players Robby Michael and Colin Girdaukas each made the Associated Press’ all-state second team.

Michael, a junior, was selected as an all-purpose player.

Girdaukas, another junior, made it as a wide receiver/tight end.

Earlier, Michael was tabbed the offensive player of the year in the Eastern Wisconsin Conference and Girdaukas earned first-team honors for the second straight season.