GIRLS BASKETBALL First-place Packers beat Tosa West

The Wauwatosa West girls dropped a 51-29 decision Friday at Cudahy, which is tied for first in the Woodland Conference Blue Division.

The Trojans, who had defeated Greendale, 47-41, three days before, dropped under .500 (6-7), which is good enough for fourth place in the Black Division. They were 6-9 overall before playing their annual game at Wauwatosa East on Tuesday (see cover story).

Cudahy (14-2) is tied for first with Pewaukee (11-3), each with 11-2 records. New Berlin West (12-5) is a half game behind (11-3), so the Blue Division title is up in the air.

The Packers put the Trojans away early, outscoring them, 23-8, in the first quarter. After that is was a competitive game.

Tosa West was outscored 10-8 and 11-8 in the second and third quarters, respectively, before winning the final period, 8-7.

Taylor Gradinjan, the Packers' all-star guard who is averaging 18.3 points per game, managed to score 13 points. Emily Wiltzius added 11 points. They were the only two Cudahy players in double figures.

Jessica Pike, a 5-foot, 9-inch junior post, was the only player in double figures, with 11 points for Tosa West.

Jenna Engel, 5-5 senior guard, added eight points, but no one else had more than three points.

Coach Ron Gavinski is trying to straighten out his team's offense, as they have lost four of five games. Since starting the season with a 4-3 record, the Trojans have gone 2-6.

Coming up, they have home games with Black Division member Whitnall (7-6, 10-7) and a non-conference game with Port Washington (4-11) on Friday and Tuesday.