Wolfpack Split Close Showdowns With Shamrocks

The Wolfpack returned to action Tuesday night after the holiday break just in time for a tough matchup with the Shamrocks of Spalding Academy.

In the girls matchup, things looked tense for the unbeaten EPPJ girls in their 51-44 win. After a slow start to the game, the girls used a big second quarter to pull away, going into halftime up 32-16. The Shamrocks powered back to make it just a three point game with 5:50 remaining. The Wolfpack battled through a scoring slump, using strong defense to keep their lead. 

With just under four minutes remaining, the Wolfpack got back-to-back threes by seniors Jordan Mescher and Baylee Wemhoff to pull away and secure the win. 

Wemhoff led all scorers with 17 points on the night on 62.5 percent shooting. Mescher added 11 and Lydia Behnk put in 10. 

Allyson Wemhoff dished out six assists and came away with seven steals to pace the Wolfpack. 

As a team, EPPJ outrebounded the Shamrocks 33 to 27, led by Liz Selting's six. Paige Meis added five and Behnk and both Wemhoffs added four.

In the boys game, the Wolfpack entered the game with an upset on their mind and nearly pulled it off. Entering the game with just two losses on the year, the Shamrocks were a tough matchup for EPPJ. However, going into halftime, the Wolfpack trailed just 23-21. Unfortunately, they were unable to overcome the deficit, despite a big night from junior Ashton Evans, falling 57-53.

Evans led the Wolfpack with 18 points on 50 percent shooting, including 4-of-9 from downtown. Hunter Reestman, Chad Bode and Kyle Schumacher each contributed nine points for a Wolfpack squad that posted their second-highest scoring output of the year.

Bode also was strong in the middle, pulling in 11 rebounds. Evans and Schumacher each dished out three assists while Kenny Bush came away with four steals on the night.