By TYLER HENRY
JC Post contributor
After a dominant 47-17 victory over Southern Cloud in the opening round of sub-state, the Wakefield girls basketball team will travel to Axtell on Friday to take on Linn in the sub-state semifinal.
The Lady Bombers will come into this contest at 9-11 while the Bulldogs enter at 12-7 ranked #9 in Class 1A-Division II.
The two have met twice this season with Linn taking both games in drastically different fashions.
Back in December, the Bulldogs took a convincing 52-26 victory over Wakefield, but the Bombers battled for 32 minutes in a February rematch falling by just two points 30-28.
“The girls have played better together as the season has progressed,” Wakefield head coach David Hughes said.
While the Bombers have closed the gap in the last few months, Linn remains a formidable foe, averaging 47 points per game.
“They are really well-coached and they have length, quickness, and good perimeter shooting as well as good post play,” Hughes said.
The Bulldogs have been led by a big three of Sophia Bott, Megan Beier, and Claire Beikmann who have combined to average 30 points per game.
To limit Linn’s inside-out game, the Bombers will need to continue playing stifling defense. This season Wakefield has held their opponents to just 34 points per game and have outscored them on average despite holding an overall record of 9-11.
“We play a 2-3 zone so have to communicate well,” he said. We have to front their post players and react quickly to perimeter ball movement. We also need to not allow offensive rebounds.”
On the other side, Wakefield will need to take care of the basketball against a Bulldog defense that forces turnovers in droves.
“We have to handle their full-court pressure and not miss out on making our free throws and crib shots around the basket,” Hughes said. “We also need to make sure we don’t turn the ball over.”
Tip-off between the Bombers and Bulldogs is set for 6 pm in Axtell with the winner advancing to the sub-state final to play either 16-4 Hanover or 5-15 Wetmore.
For continuing coverage of Wakefield at sub-state stay tuned to the JC Post.