Basketball Recap: Grace Renn's Big Game Can't Quite Lead Wheeler over Westville

Wheeler was not able to break out of their rough patch on Tuesday as the team picked up their fifth straight defeat. They lost 64-43 to the Westville Blackhawks. While losing is never fun, the Bearcats can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' Indiana basketball rankings (they are ranked 349th, while the Blackhawks are ranked 62nd).

Wheeler's loss came despite a true team effort from the offense, with many players turning in solid performances. Perhaps the best among them was Grace Renn, who posted 12 points. Another player making a difference was Leilani Gaetz, who put up nine points and five rebounds.

Bearcats

Previous 5 Games

01/07/25 vs Westville	43-64
12/28/24 vs Northwestern	39-62
12/28/24 vs Argos	36-45
12/19/24 @ Morgan Township	29-34
12/18/24 vs South Central	34-41

Even though they lost, Wheeler smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with 16 offensive boards. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now pulled down at least eight offensive rebounds in 13 consecutive contests.

Multiple players turned in solid performances to lead Westville to victory, but perhaps none more so than Hillary Labis, who went 13 of 25 en route to 23 points along with seven boards and five assists. The game was Labis' third in a row with at least ten points. Andrea Benefield was another key player, going 10 for 12 on her way to 21 points and seven rebounds.

Wheeler's defeat dropped their record down to 3-11. As for Westville, their victory was their fourth straight on the road, which pushed their record up to 12-1.

Wheeler has already played their next match, a 56-37 loss against Kouts on the 9th. As for Westville, they also didn't take long to hit the court again: they've already played their next contest, a 47-43 win against Chesterton on the 8th.