Basketball Recap: Kailey Patzel's Big Game Can't Quite Lead Newman Grove/St. Edward over Fullerton

Newman Grove/St. Edward was not able to break out of their rough patch on Saturday as the team picked up their seventh straight defeat. They fell 44-35 to the Fullerton Warriors.

Newman Grove/St. Edward lost despite a true team effort on offense, the best among them being Kailey Patzel, who almost dropped a double-double on nine points and 16 rebounds. Patzel is crushing it when it comes to boards: she's pulled down at least nine every time she's taken the court this season. Another player making a difference was Katelyn Werts, who posted 13 points and six rebounds.

Even though they lost, Newman Grove/St. Edward smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with ten offensive rebounds. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now pulled down at least ten offensive boards in nine consecutive matches.

Jaci Maxfield had an outrageously good game for Fullerton as she went 9 for 14 en route to 24 points in addition to seven boards and seven steals. Those 24 points gave Maxfield a new career-high. Georgia Bridger was another key player, putting up seven points along with six rebounds and five assists.

Newman Grove/St. Edward's loss dropped their record down to 1-14. As for Fullerton, the win made it two in a row for them and bumps their season record up to 5-10.

Newman Grove/St. Edward and Fullerton could both be facing uphill battles in their next games considering their disadvantage in the MaxPreps Nebraska Rankings. Newman Grove/St. Edward (ranked 279th) will meet Archangels Catholic (ranked 98th) at 6:00 p.m. on January 28th. Meanwhile, Fullerton will take on Nebraska Christian at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday down 122 places (237 vs. 115).