Hello! I’m Jessica Reiff and I’m Libby Wurdeman. We are recapping the final two home games of the season for the Discoverers’ basketball teams. In the first of the final two home games, the Discoverers faced off against the Norris Titans on February 8th.

In the first quarter of the girls game, Sophomore Addison Kudron scored seven points with assists from Senior Gracie Luebbe. Junior Jaleigh Adams-Tuls scored two points of her own. However, the Norris offense was able to double up the Discoverers, taking an 18-9 at the end of one. 

In the second quarter, the Discoverer ladies had a hot streak with baskets from Adams-Tuls, Kudron, Sophomore Tayler Braun and a three-pointer from Sophomore Logan Kaples. However, the Discoverers were only able to narrow their deficit to six points.

After halftime entertainment from the Diamond Dancers and the CHS Pep Band, the Discoverers added six points in the third quarter by way of three pointers from Kudron and Luebbe, but Norris ultimately outscored the Discoverers with their own quartet of buckets.

  In the fourth and final quarter, the Discoverers were unfortunately outscored again, ending up in a Norris victory of 47 to 37.

Overall, Kudron led the Discoverers in scoring with 18 points followed by Kaples with 8, Adams-Tuls with 6, and Luebbe and Braun adding one three and two pointer respectively.  

In an interview with the Columbus Telegram, Coach Licari said he loved the fight the girls gave. Licari commented on the lack of turnovers from the Discoverer ladies and how they didn’t get to shoot the ball on each possession. All in all, he said it’s all about learning aspects of the game and putting the elements together. 

Following the girls game was the boys’ chance to take down the Titans. Senior Porter Discoe led the Discoverers in the first quarter, putting up two three-pointers. Senior Landon Thompson and Junior Garrett Esch each scored four points. The Blakes, Senior Edzards and Sophomore Thompson, contributed three respectively in the quarter, and Seniors Sam Nelson and Cole Wilcox added their own two points to the Discoverer cause. The Discoverers lead after one, 22-13.

In the second quarter, Norris was able to close the gap between them and the Discoverers. Scoring in the quarter for the Discoverers was the the trio of Discoe, Edzards, and Esch adding respective points of four, five, and three to add on to the Discoverers’ 34-26 halftime lead.   

For halftime, the Diamond Dancers performed their pom routine to a boy band mix. Then the Discoverer Cheerleaders, along with many other aspiring cheerleaders, performed cheers with a driving Disney theme. Closing out halftime was the Discoverer Pep Band. 

Aside from two free throws from Edzards in the early stages of the third quarter, the Discoverers were held scoreless through a seven-point run by the Titans. Later in the quarter, Discoverer hoops were made by both Thompsons, Nelson, Edzards, and a three pointer from Discoe. Despite a Norris scoring flurry, the Discoverers still hold the lead, but only by worth of a single basket.  

In the close and final quarter of the game, Edzards led the boys in scoring by supplying a bucket and 4 free throws. Discoe chipped in with his fourth three-pointer of the night. Nelson put up a basket and a free throw and Esch also scored a point by sinking a charity shot as well. The Titans managed to score a three point shot in the last ten seconds of the game and after a Discoverer timeout, the boys had one second left on the clock to score. However, they couldn’t make a basket, losing the close game 61-64.

All in all, Senior Blake Edzards led the boys in scoring with 21 points, followed by Senior Porter Discoe with 16 points, Senior Sam Nelson with 7 points, Junior Garret Esch and Senior Landon Thompson with six points apiece, followed by Sophomore Blake Thompson with 3 points, and Senior Cole Wilcox with two points.

In an interview with the Columbus Telegram, Coach Motz said how they had three buzzer beater games over the last week. He thought that the boys played hard and thought they overworked Norris. He was proud of the great effort from everyone on the team. Motz’s biggest concern is that in the past year they always worked below the competition and he hopes they can figure out how to control the ball better on possessions and at the free throw line.

On Valentine’s Day, the student section was full at the final Columbus home game versus the Blair Bears. First, was the game between both school’s varsity girls teams. The Discoverer girls scored a slew of  baskets in the first quarter, leading the pack was Sophomore Addison Kudron scoring two three pointers and a field goal. Senior Gracie Luebbe also hit from three followed by Junior Jaleigh Adams-Tuls finding her way to the hoop as well. The Discoverers’ last points of the quarter came from a basket by Sophomore Tayler Braun. The Discoverers lead in the first quarter: 15-13. 

In the second quarter, Sophomore Logan Kaples sunk two shots from the charity stripe while Sophomore Addision Huele scored a three-pointer, and Adams-Tuls threw in a buzzer beater to contribute to the Discoverers’ 24-21 halftime lead.

For halftime entertainment, the Diamond Dancers performed a pom routine to Gimme all your Lovin. Along with the Diamonds, the Cheer team performed their routine for the state competition. Rounding out halftime was the CHS Pep Band.

In the first quarter of the second half, Kudron scored two separate hoops. Adams-Tuls scored two free throws and a basket. Luebbe scored a three-pointer, and she assisted her teammates with their buckets. Ending the quarter was another Discoverer three pointer from Huele. The Discoverers lead the Bears 38-27.

The Discoverer ladies had a saga of free throws in the fourth quarter. Kapels had 2 pairs of free throws. Luebbe made three of her attempts from the line. Adams-Tuls put up 2 baskets, and Braun hit from three point distance for the first time of the game. The offensive onslaught in the second half helped the Discoverer Ladies pull out a victory, 52-40.

Leading the Discoverers in scoring were Sophomore Addison Kudron and Junior Jaliegh Adams-Tuls with twelve points apiece, followed by Senior Gracie Luebbe with nine points, Sophomore Logan Kaples with eight, Sophomore Addison Huele with six points, and Sophomore Tayler Braun with five.

In an interview with the Columbus Telegram, Coach Licari said it was the best home game they played all season. The ladies kept turnovers at a reasonable number and the team made 11 out of 14 possible free throws. Licari liked the team’s adjustment to Blair and the post entry passes which led to easy baskets. He also commented on the clock management and how the ladies scored seven points at the end of the first three quarters and had good communication on defence.

For intermission between games, all the Seniors of the night were recognized. On the Cheer Team: Alisyn Bardsley, KeAyra Braithwait, Madeline Hudnall, Sophie Kadavy, Lillian Loosvelt, Destyni Prather, Abigail Marshall, and Katelyn Wiegand. For Boys Basketball Players, Joey Braasch, Porter Discoe, Blake Edzards, Sam Nelson, Ramon Rodriguez, Landon Thompson, and Cole Wilcox. The Girl Basketball Players: Emily Hall, Osmunda Izaguirre, and Gracie Luebbe. Girls Basketball Manager Melissa Ramaekers and Diamond Dancers, Sydney Kasper and Macy O'Connell along with acknowledging CHS Anchor News alum Savanna Soletero for her work with the Boys Basketball team. The CHS Pep Band also received an acknowledgement for performing at every home game. 

In the first quarter of the boys’ game, Senior Porter Discoe scored two three-point baskets. Two more three-pointers were scored, along with a pair of free throws from Senior Blake Edzards. Edzards also assisted Senior Landon Thompson with a bucket. The Discoverers made their last points of the quarter with a free throw from Senior Sam Nelson. The Discoverers lead 17-15. 

In the second quarter, Thompson scored two baskets. Discoe managed to score another three-pointer and a basket. Sophomore Sam Kwapnioski scored his own three-pointer along with Edzards scoring yet another free throw. The Discoverer boys were up at the half, 31-23. 

For halftime entertainment, the Diamond Dancers performed their high kick routine to a ladies mix. Then the cheer team performed their competition routine again, followed by the Pep Band closing out the halftime period.

During the third period of the game the Discoverers had a spectacular offensive quarter. Leading them was Edzards scoring three free throws, and two baskets. Followed closely by the only junior on varsity - Garrett Esch - with a free throw, and two buckets. Sophomore Blake Thompson scored a hoop and two free throws. Nelson scored his own three pointer and Sophomore Ean Luebbe made a basket as well. The Discoverers held Blair to only eight points that quarter, augmenting their lead to 52-31.

In the fourth quarter, many players scored points. The elder Thompson made a basket and a free throw. Discoe made his fourth three-pointer. Sophomore Taden Bell scored two hoops. Sophomore Caleb Mulder, Nelson, and Senior Joey Braasch each made a two point shot. The final score of the night was 70-50 Columbus.

Many boys that scored that evening; leading them was Senior Blake Edzards with seventeen points, followed by Senior Porter Discoe with fourteen points, Senior Landon Thompson with nine points, Junior Garret Esch with seven points, Senior Sam Nelson with six, Sophomores Blake Thompson and Taden Bell with four points apiece, Sophomore Sam Kwapnioski with three, and Sophomores Caleb Mulder, Ean Luebbe and Senior Joey Braasch with two points each. 

In an interview with the Columbus Telegram, Coach Motz said that this group of seniors is the first group he has seen grow since becoming head coach and he believes they are all going to do great things. As for the team, Motz states that there is an urgency heading into postseason play. There has been rough competition in the past two weeks, where they have been on the losing side of close games. Motz liked the lead that the boys gave during the Blair game, how they did a great job on possessions, and scored better. They also played well together and there was no singular player carrying the team, multiple players stepped up. Overall, Motz and the team are fighting for a good spot in district seeding so they can play at districts at home on February 29. 

CHS Anchor News would like to congratulate the seniors honored on Senior Night and wish them the best of luck on their future endeavors. Along with wishing the best of luck to the basketball teams as they face districts. We would also like to thank the CHS Pep Band for being at every home game bringing pep tunes and boosting energy to the environment. Be sure to follow CHS Anchor News on Twitter and Instagram at CHS Anchor News along with checking out our Fusfoo page.

Photo Credits:

Header Image Courtesy of Justin Smith  © Justin Smith / Wikimedia Commons, CC-By-SA-3.0

Thumbnail Image Courtesy of  www.franchiseopportunities.com/