Bremen closes season at Westview

February 9, 2011

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GOSHEN — With its season on the line in Tuesday’s Class 2A Sectional 35 opener, the Westview girls basketball team caught fire from an unlikely spot.
After going 1 of 12 from 3-point range through three quarters, Westview hit four straight during a surge that turned a five-point deficit into an eight-point lead over Bremen, then went 6 of 6 at the foul line the rest of the way to secure a 48-41 victory.
“(The 3-pointers) turned the game around, and that’s not one of our strengths,” Westview coach Randy Yoder said. “We haven’t been a 3-point shooting team all year. It was a struggle all night, and I wondered if we’d be able to get it done. We just kept scrambling and hustling and got it done.”
While Westview (13-8) advanced to Friday’s semifinal round against host and No. 10-ranked Fairfield, Bremen (8-12) saw its season come to a close.
“The girls played their hearts out,” Bremen coach Marty Huber said. “We just had a few possessions late where we couldn’t knock our shots down and didn’t get back on defense. You have to play the whole game.”
When Westview needed points or a big rebound, Skyler Carpenter often provided it. The junior finished with game-highs of 15 points and 11 boards.
“Her competitive nature is what makes her so valuable to us,” Yoder said. “She’s a three-sport athlete, and she just won’t be denied. And it’s all about the team with her.”
Bremen jumped out to a 6-0 first quarter lead, but seven turnovers helped Westview go up 12-8. Bremen’s Brittney Pittman hit a 3-pointer to make it a one-point margin at the period’s end.
Bremen took its biggest lead of the first half at 22-16 on a basket by Kailee Feldman. The Lions led 22-19 at halftime as Pittman, Feldman and Jenna Pfeiffer combined for all of Bremen’s points.
Pittman’s third 3-pointer put Bremen up 29-23 midway through the third quarter. Westview ran off six straight points to tie it before two free throws by Jenessa Morris gave Bremen a 31-29 edge going into the fourth quarter.
Down 37-32 with five minutes left, Westview’s onslaught began. Jeslyn Zimmerly, Kelsey Christner and Richelle Sharick all hit 3-pointers during a 14-1 rally that put Bremen away.
“We had some good looks, close ones and from the 3-point arc,” Huber said. “Sometimes they go and sometimes they don’t. But, I’m real proud of the girls and this was a great bunch to coach.”
Outside of Carpenter, Zimmerly was the only other Westview player to score in double figures with 11 points.
Pittman led Bremen with 11 points, followed by Feldman with 10 and Pfeiffer and Morris with eight apiece. Bremen played the final 3:24 without Pfeiffer, who fouled out.
Bremen says goodbye to three seniors —- Pittman, Lerin Studt and Hope Jordan.
“You hate to lose seniors, and those three are all special kids,” Huber said.
• WESTVIEW 48,
BREMEN 41
At Goshen
Score by quarters
Bremen: 11 11 9 10 — 41
Westview: 12 7 10 19 — 48
BREMEN (41): Jenessa Morris 2 2-5 8, Brittney Pittman 4 0-0 11, Jenna Pfeiffer 4 0-0 8, Lerin Studt 0 0-0 0, Allison Shorter 0 1-2 1, Brooke Baker 1 1-2 3, Kailee Feldman 5 0-1 10, Shayna Graverson 0 0-0 0, Hope Jordan 0 0-0 0. Totals: 16 4-10 41.
WESTVIEW (48): Jeslyn Zimmerly 2 5-7 11, Skyler Carpenter 7 1-2 15, Candice Stutzman 2 0-0 4, Kelsey Christner 2 1-2 7, Brittany Hershberger 0 0-0 0, Richelle Sharick 1 2-2 5, Jade Oakley 3 0-0 6. Totals: 17 9-13 48.
3-point goals: Bremen 5 (Pittman 3), Westview 5 (Zimmerly, Christner 2); Rebounds: Bremen 24 (Pfeiffer, Shorter 5), Westview 29 (Carpenter 11); Turnovers: Bremen 19, Westview 18; Fouls: Bremen 17, Westview 13; Records: Bremen 8-12 (final), Westview 13-8.