Tosa West girls split games against Cudahy, Pewaukee
Senior Ballinger has been a big surprise early on, coach says
The Wauwatosa West girls split two blowouts last week, beating Cudahy, 60-41, on Friday following a 58-31 loss to Pewaukee in their conference season opener Dec. 1.
Both games were played at Tosa West.
Although it is still early, Tosa West coach Mike Pietrowiak has had some positives to look at, including the play of Ashley Ballinger, a 5-foot, 10-inch senior.
The Trojans held the Packers to eight points in the first quarter and 15 points in the second half to coast to the win. Cudahy managed an 18-point second period to trail 35-26 at intermission.
Ballinger led the way with 15 points, followed by Molly Boyle and Jessica Allemang with 11 and 10 points, respectively.
One of the keys to the game was the defensive job senior guard Jackie Glaser did on Cudahy's Taylor Gradinjan, who was held to five points, well below her average.
"Jackie did one heck of a job guarding her," Pietrowiak said. "She likes to go to her right and Jackie forced her to go left, which she is not as comfortable doing. She did a great job."
The Trojans had 24 2-point field goals while holding the Packers to nine, but Cudahy did manage seven 3-pointers.
"The big difference in the two games was our defense," Pietrowiak said. "We played better defense (against Cudahy). We all stepped up and did what we wanted to do."
Pietrowiak was also happy with the way Boyle and Allemang attacked the basket. He said he has been especially pleased with Ballinger's play.
"Ashley has been a big surprise," Pietrowiak said. "She is really focused, not only during the games, but at practice as well. She is finding the open spot on the floor; she is athletic and runs the floor well."
The Trojans are small once again, so a good season from Ballinger could be a key to the team's success.
The Cudahy game was a lot different than the Woodland Conference opener on Dec. 1, as the Trojans never reached double figures in any quarter in the loss to Pewaukee.
The Pirates led 32-16 at intermission and 42-24 after three quarters.
Boyle had 12 points, Ballinger had seven and Jenna Engel had six to lead the scoring for West.
The Trojans, who play at New Berlin Eisenhower tonight, get back in action next Tuesday when they host Greendale at 7:30 p.m.
- Tom Skibosh, Staff Writer
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