Freedom tops FVL, takes hold of EVC

FREEDOM - The top spot in the Eastern Valley Conference girls basketball standings was at stake Friday night when co-leaders Fox Valley Lutheran and Freedom met.

Knowing what was on line, the Foxes and Irish were focused on making it tough on each other, and did they ever.

Both defenses swarmed as the teams combined for just 25 field goals and 36 turnovers. It wasn’t a beauty, but in the end Freedom was OK with what it looked like.

The Irish, behind 18 points from Nichole Van Den Eng, took sole possession of first place in the EVC with a hard-fought 42-37 win.

Afterwards, Freedom coach Mike VanderLoop was pleased with his players’ effort.

“In this type of setting, outstanding,” VanderLoop said. “The girls laid it on the line against a very good team and we’re fortunate to get a win.”

Freedom was fortunate, based on its offensive play. Freedom was just 10-of-43 from the floor (23.3 percent) and committed 16 turnovers.

FVL continually made things tough for the Irish, who didn’t even get a field goal from leading scorer Erin Higgins, who made eight free throws. Higgins and the rest of her teammates, for the most part, struggled scoring inside as FVL was not shy about playing physical.

However, Van Den Eng figured things out. The junior entered the game averaging four points per game and only once this season had she scored even 10 points.

She picked a perfect time to have her best game of her career and VanderLoop knew she had it in her.

“Nichole stepped up,” VanderLoop said. “She scored some big baskets for us. We know Nichole is a solid offensive player, because she shows it on occasions.”

Van Den Eng said she was just trying to her best.

“The matchups are always different,” Van Den Eng said. “I just try to always do my best, do what I can on offense and defense. Tonight they were just falling and I was open.”

Freedom trailed only once in the game, 3-1, after a Katie Doell 3-pointer. However, the Irish could never put away FVL.

Freedom led 21-14 in the third quarter and looked poised to run away from FVL. Notwithstanding, the Foxes stayed close and trailed 26-21 with a quarter to play.

In the fourth, FVL scored the first five points – all from sophomore Grace Schultz – as the game was tied at 26-all. Freedom didn’t flinch, though, as it showed a champion’s resolve.

Freedom scored the next seven points, five coming from Van Den Eng, to open a 33-26 lead and then held on as Schultz scored 13 points in the quarter.

Van Den Eng said part of the reason Freedom won this game was a little payback from the teams’ first meeting this season in which FVL won 50-34.

“There was a lot of emotion going into this game,” Van Den Eng said. “I think everybody wanted it that much more because of what did happen at FVL last time.”

Another key was Freedom’s defense, which limited FVL to 15-of-39 shooting (38.5 percent) and forced 20 turnovers. Furthermore, FVL was only 5-of-19 at the free throw line. Van Den Eng knew the defense had to be strong.

“We always focus on our defense first, because with good defense things will happen on offense for us,” Van Den Eng said.

While the win was big, it doesn’t clinch anything for the Irish. Freedom still has five conference games left, including road games at Xavier (third place in the EVC) and Berlin (fourth place in the EVC).

“We just have to play every game like we have been,” Ven Den Eng said. “The past is the past; just keep working forward and finish strong.”

Freedom has won the last three EVC titles, so VanderLoop knows what it takes down the stretch to win a conference title. Nonetheless, he’s not satisfied.

Freedom entered the game having not reached 40 points in its previous three games and the reason it topped 40 Friday was FVL fouling at the end of the game. Freedom made just 10 baskets, but was 20-for-31 at the free throw line.

“I think we’re getting better each game,” VanderLoop said. “There’s a couple things we have to work on. We’ve been frustrated with our offense the last few games.”

Notes: Freedom is 74-6 in the EVC in the last five-plus seasons. … Freedom is 0-3 when opponents score 50-plus points. … Freedom has won 37 straight conference games at home. Last loss came to Ripon, Dec. 15, 2007. … Schultz’s 16 points were a career high, besting a 10-point performance earlier this season. … FVL plays Monday against Winnebago Lutheran, while Freedom plays at Little Chute on Thursday. Game ball: Van Den Eng, who picked the perfect time to have her best game. Numbers game: 15 Points Freedom outscored FVL at the free throw line (20-5).

FREEDOM 42, FOX VALLEY LUTHERAN 37
Fox Valley Lutheran…5 8 8 16- 37
Freedom………… ….10 7 9 16- 42
Fox Valley Lutheran (11-4, 9-2)
Katie Doell 8, Abby Radue 4, Taylor Hammer 3, Erin Riley 4, Grace Schultz 16, Morgan Dorchester 2. 3-PT: 2 (Doell 2). FG: 15-39. FT: 5-19. Turnovers: 20. F: 21 Fouled out: Abby Huntington.
Freedom (13-3, 10-1)
Nichole Van Den Eng 18, Erin Higgins 8, Kim Runge 11, Jessia Runge 2, Maddy Albers

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Freedom tops FVL, takes hold of EVC