Cardinals win holiday hoops tournament

The Staples-Motley girls basketball team was the champion of the Little Falls tournament Dec. 29-30. They beat North Branch 70-54 in the opening round, then beat St. Cloud Apollo 64-40 in the title game.

The Cardinals had two of their most complete games in the tournament. After a slow start in the first game, the team got on a roll and never let up.

Against North Branch, the Cardinals only had 11 turnovers in the game. “Our experience played a key role in the outcome,” said Coach Craig Wolhowe. “We controlled the boards and had a very good shooting night.” The team was 12 for 20 from the three point line.

Amber Robben dished out 7 assists and Claire Wolhowe grabbed 12 rebounds. Coach Wolhowe gave Kiera Dumpprope credit for giving the team a lift off the bench with her defense, rebounding and steals.

In the championship game against Apollo, Staples-Motley played great defense early and jumped out to an 11-0 lead. “We maintained that intensity the whole game,” said Wolhowe.

The Cardinals also scored well as a team, with five players scoring eight points or more.“We were unselfish and that’s what makes this team so fun to be around,” said Coach Wolhowe. “They will make an extra pass to a teammate for a better look.”

Kelsie Weite and Wolhowe eachhad 8 rebounds and three steals in the game, and Wolhowe added three assists.

Team results

Staples-Motley 70, North Branch 54

Scoring: Claire Wolhowe 25, Kelsie Weite 16, Sam Schimpp 11, Ashley Smith 8, Amber Robben 4, Chelsea Nanik 3, Allison Cushing 2, Alix Peterson 1

Staples-Motley 64, St. Cloud Apollo 40

Scoring: Robben 15, Wolhowe 11, Weite 10, Nanik 9, Smith 8, Lexi Johnson 6, Kiera Dumpprope 4, Kaitlyn Longworth 1