Polk County girls baskaetball coach Brandy Alm feels her Wolverines are more than ready for the upcoming challenge of postseason play.
Can’t be much tougher than what Polk has faced this season in its Western Highlands Conference schedule.
The Wolverines picked up another tough league win on Thursday, keeping Mitchell’s offense in check and celebrating Senior Night with a 50-31 victory over the Mountaineers.
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Polk County (18-4, 7-4) took charge of the game in the second period, holding Mitchell (6-14, 3-9) to just three points while building a 26-12 halftime advantage. The lead never dropped below double digits in the second half as the Wolverines displayed the type of defensive effort that they’ve seen throughout conference play.
“This conference is so tough,” Alm said. “Every night, they apply so much pressure defensively, every team we play.
“We’ve had our ups and downs, but I think some of the close games that we’ve had have definitely helped us get ready for the playoffs. At this point in the season we’re right where I want us to be.”
Mitchell kept the game close in the first quarter, with Polk’s Sofie Abrahamsen hitting a jumper from the lane late in the period to put the Wolverines up 13-9.
Polk cranked up its defensive pressure and transition game to gain command of the game in the second. Charley Dusenbury had a layup to open the quarter, with Bailey Staton then adding a free throw and two baskets to put Polk up 20-9.
Following a Mitchell 3-pointer with 2:25 remaining, a Staton layup, which gave the senior her 2,000th career point, started a run that ended with the Wolverines heading into the half with a 14-point lead.
Polk moved in front by 16 midway through the third period and kept a comfortable advantage until the final whistle.
Staton finished with 26 points to lead Polk County. Amiyah Waters had nine, including a spinning, over-the-head layup late in the game that brought fans and the Polk bench to its feet.
Reeve Carroll added seven points, Abrahamsen had four and Dusenbury and Honesty Jackson each scored two.
Polk County closes its regular season on Monday at home with another WHC test against Avery.
