This season has been a different kind of challenge for the Madison College women’s basketball team. For the second half of the season, the team has had only five available players for each game.
But those players put up an extraordinary fight, even as they were called upon to play every minute of every game. And Coach Angel Whetstone was there to support and encourage them the entire way.
Madison College faced off with unbeaten Rock Valley College Feb. 15. Throughout the first quarter, Rock Valley put up a heavy offensive fight that gave them a 28-8 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Starting the second quarter, Madison College was able to almost double their score with two 3-point shots, one by Kaylee Anzalone and one by Tazhia Aune following.
During the third quarter, Kayla Staveness put 10-points on the board with two 3-point shots, and four perfect free throws. Still, Madison College trailed, 72-28.
Madison College had their best offensive performance during the fourth quarter, scoring another 12 points. Staveness led the WolfPack with 21 points in the game, while Anzalone added nine.
Madison College wrapped up its season on Feb. 20 with an 88-45 loss to Milwaukee Area Technical College.
A slow start found Madison College down 22-8 at the end of the first quarter. The second quarter saw Staveness convert on 7 of 10 free throw attempts to help the WolfPack score 13 points. But Milwaukee added 22 to increase its lead to 44-21.
After a slow third quarter on offense, the WolfPack was able to put another 20-points on the board in the fourth quarter.
Staveness finished the game with 29 points, bringing her season total to 443 points and her career total to 641 points. Anzalone finished the game with five points and a team-high eight assists.
The Madison College coach reflected on the end of the season in comments posted to the athletic department website.
“I am extremely grateful to this group for persisting through challenges this season and working together,” stated Whetstone.
“I hope that they will carry the lessons from this season and apply them to any future life obstacles they may face. Knowing that they can get through any challenges life throws at them,” she added.