Strong second half lifts JWP over WEM

For nearly two thirds of their game against Gopher Conference leading JWP, the WEM girls basketball team played right with the Bulldogs.

The Bucs led 30-29 at halftime and five minutes into the second half trailed by only one against the Bulldogs, who are undefeated in the conference and 16-2 overall.

It was at the 13 minute mark of the second half JWP's defense took over the game and they limited the Bucs to only 14 second half points, and just nine the final 13 minutes of their 60-44 win.

WEM played a good defensive game until late in the second half. The Bucs limited the high-scoring Bulldogs to 32 percent shooting from the field and 25 percent from behind the three-point arc.

WEM junior Addison Condon finished with a team-high 23 points, 12 rebounds, and three steals. Senior Ashlyn Pelant added five points, four rebounds, and three assists. Sophomore Alix Velzke scored five points. Junior Alenka Jans scored four points and grabbed five rebounds.

JWP was led by All-Conference guard Katie Olson who scored 23 points and Presley James, who finished with 13 points and 12 rebounds. She is he daughter of Nick and Megan James of rural Elysian.

The Bucs played in Rochester against Hayfield/Schaefer Academy and were edged 48-45.

Head coach Tobin Pope said the game had a playoff atmosphere, with lots of fans in the stands. He felt his team played...

To see more on this story pick up the January 30, 2025 print edition of the LifeEnterprise paper.