Tabor tandem leads Jays to two wins

ORIGINALLY WRITTEN ERIC CLARK
With two starters averaging better than 19 points in the last two contests, the Tabor women’s team picked up two KCAC wins this past week.


The Bluejays finished off Kansas Wesleyan Thursday night in Salina, 74-69, and then beat Bethel College Saturday night at home, 54-45.


The tandem of Rachelle Speers and Angela Kroeker combined for 83 of the 128 points scored by the Bluejays in the last two games.


According to coach Rusty Allen, the pair is anchoring his offense.


“From Angela we get power play, outside shooting, penetration and rebounding,” Allen said. “She does a lot of things. What she’s done well the last couple of games is that she’s gone to what’s working instead of concentrating on one thing.


“With Rachelle, we get very good outside shooting almost regularly, we get penetration and she flat out guards her man out of the game.”


Although Speers and Kroeker played a major role in the win, Allen was quick to recognize his team’s defensive performance.


“They just couldn’t solve the zone defense,” Allen said. “They couldn’t get in any rhythm. I’m not so sure we played all that well offensively, and beyond that I thought we sort of floundered. But defensively, we got it done and made it really hard for them to score.”


The Bluejays struck fast and often in the first half, taking an early 11-2 lead. Tabor held on to a nine-point advantage as they headed into the locker room at halftime.


The Threshers got as close as two points in the second half, but the Bluejays extended their lead for the win-their second-straight in the KCAC.


“This team really scared me,” Allen said of Bethel. “They brought back a bunch of players from last year’s team who really surprised people last year. Although their record doesn’t indicate it, they’ve been in some games with some really good teams.


“Our team’s tough enough, that you’re going to have to play well against us or we’re going to have a chance to win the game. We really needed this one.”


Speers had 20 points, five rebounds and five steals to pace the Bluejays. Kroeker finished with 19 points, two rebounds, three assists and one steal.


The Bluejays held Shelley Haug, one of the league’s top scorers, to just four points.


Kansas Wesleyan-Tabor’s dynamic duo of Rachelle Speers and Angela Kroeker exploded for 44 of the team’s 74 points in a 74-69 win over the Kansas Wesleyan Coyotes Thursday at Salina.


The Jays trailed at halftime, but battled back in the second half to take home a crucial road win.


Tabor out-rebounded the Coyotes 49-37.


Speers scored a game-high 23 points, nine rebounds, three assists and five steals. Kroeker added 21 points, seven boards, one assist and five steals.


Coming-With the two wins, the Bluejays are 4-4 in the KCAC and 8-10 overall. Tabor traveled to Leavenworth to battle Saint Mary College Monday and will host Southwestern College Thursday. The Jays are scheduled to battle the McPherson Bulldogs Saturday night in McPherson.

More from article archives
FSA looking for committee nominees
ORIGINALLY WRITTEN BILL HARMON – FSA Marion County Farm Service Agency is...
Read More