Lady Wildcats add 2 wins to undefeated year

The Fleming Lady Wildcats continued their undefeated season with a Championship win in the Winter Hoops Tournament last weekend. The tournament marked the opening of the 2023 portion of the basketball season.

Fleming hosted Flagler, Gilpin County and Arickaree last week for girls' and boys' tournament play. Action kicked off on Friday night for the Lady Wildcats with a win over Flagler.

The home team opened with a 14-point advantage after the first quarter of play, 19-5. The Lady Panthers kept pace in the second quarter, giving up 10, but adding eight to leave the score 29-14 at the half.

Fleming went up another two points in the third and five in the final to take a 49-27 victory.

Junior MadiKay Serrato led the Lady Wildcats on the scoreboard with 17 points. She went five for six from the free-throw line, earned six off two-points shots and sunk two three-pointers for another six.

Senior Kally Kirkwood also hit double digits on the scoreboard with 11. She matched that total in rebounds for a double-double. Offensively, Kirkwood added eight points on two-point field goals and three points outside the arc. She brought down three offensive boards and eight defensive.

Seniors Maddy Harms and Laney Schliesser followed in rebounds with nine apiece.

The following night, the Lady Wildcats entered Championship play with the Gilpin County Lady Eagles.

A low-scoring opening quarter saw Fleming up by just two, 4-2, but the Lady Wildcats jumped out ahead by 12 before halftime after adding 13 in the second and giving up just three.

Scoring between the two teams came back within two points in the third, 16-14, but Fleming remained on top, 33-19. The final quarter sealed the championship victory for the home team as they again grabbed double digits while holding the Lady Eagles in the singles and the Lady Wildcats took a 46-28 win.

Serrato led her team once again in scoring with 17 points. She made five three-point shots for 15 and added the remaining pair on a two-point bucket.

Kirkwood and senior Lexi Schaefer each added 10 points on the night. Kirkwood made one three-pointer, three two-pointers and a free throw. Schaefer sunk two three-pointers, two two-pointers and two free throws.

Kirkwood led in rebounds with seven; two offensive and five defensive. Schliesser followed with six split at two and four, respectively. Harms, Serrato and freshman Ashley Bornhoft grabbed five boards apiece.

The Lady Wildcats traveled to the home of the Lone Star Lady Longhorns on Tuesday, Jan. 10. Results of that game had not been determined as of press time.

On Friday and Saturday night, Fleming is scheduled to return to their home court for games against the Stratton Lady Eagles and the Prairie Lady Mustangs. Action on both nights is slated for 4 p.m.