Watseka Tops Peotone 54-35 in Tough Shooting Night

Peotone struggled to find its offensive rhythm against Watseka, falling 54-35 in a non-conference matchup where shots refused to fall for the home team.

Despite a competitive defensive effort, Peotone was hampered by a difficult shooting performance, connecting on just 13 of 57 attempts from the floor (23 percent). The offensive struggles were compounded by 18 turnovers, allowing Watseka to control the pace and secure the victory.

Freshman Payton Pape provided a bright spot for Peotone, leading the team in scoring with 9 points on 4-of-12 shooting. Pape also connected on one of the team’s three shots from beyond the arc. Junior Callie Weiss added 7 points, doing much of her work from the free-throw line where she finished 3-for-4.

Seniors M. Schroeder and Emma Orzel each contributed 5 points. Orzel provided a spark off the bench, shooting efficiently and draining a three-pointer, while Schroeder added a perimeter basket of her own.

While the offense stalled, Peotone remained active on the defensive end, recording 11 steals as a team. Weiss led the defensive charge with three steals, while freshman G. Pagliarulo and Pape each swiped two.

On the boards, junior Payton Schnelle led the effort with 6 rebounds, helping Peotone total 26 rebounds on the night. Weiss chipped in with 5 boards, and senior M. Schroeder grabbed 4.

Individual Statistics

• SCORING: Payton Pape 9, Callie Weiss 7, M. Schroeder 5, Emma Orzel 5, Addison Brandau 3, Peyton Bisping 2, G. Pagliarulo 2, K. Bettenhausen 1.

• REBOUNDING: Payton Schnelle 6, Callie Weiss 5, M. Schroeder 4, Olivia Moe 3, Megan Cadieux 3, Addison Brandau 2, G. Pagliarulo 2, Payton Pape 2, Peyton Bisping 1, Emma Orzel 1, Charley Isbell 1.

• THREE-POINT SHOOTING: Payton Pape 1, M. Schroeder 1, Emma Orzel 1.

• DEFENSE: Callie Weiss 3 Steals, G. Pagliarulo 2 Steals, Payton Pape 2 Steals, Peyton Bisping 1 Steal, Olivia Moe 1 Steal, M. Schroeder 1 Steal, Emma Orzel 1 Steal.