MENDOTA – A first-quarter offensive explosion for Mendota resulted in a 57-37 nonconference win over Plano in a varsity girls’ basketball game on Dec. 11 at the MHS gym.

The Lady Trojans lit up the net for 24 first-quarter points en route to a 24-8 lead after the opening stanza. Mendota cooled off considerably in the second period, but still took a 30-19 advantage to the locker room.

“We jumped out to a great start on both ends,” stated Mendota coach John Hansen. “We got out in transition for layups. This was hands down our best all-around game of the season.”

Phalen Hessenberger had a huge night for the Lady Trojans, topping them in scoring with 18 points and in rebounding with 15. Also leading the charge were Amellia Bromenschenkel with 17 points and six rebounds, Alex Barrera with 12 points and five assists, and Abby Phalen with eight points and seven steals.

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After playing perhaps its best all-around game of the season, Mendota played its worst three quarters of the year two nights later, according to Hansen. But in this game, the Lady Trojans saved their best for last when they rallied for a 49-40 victory over LaSalle-Peru on Dec. 13 at the MHS gym.

The Lady Trojans couldn’t throw the ball in the ocean in the first half and trailed 19-13 at the break. The third quarter was better, but L-P still owned a 30-24 lead heading to the final frame. That’s when the light switch suddenly came on for the Lady Trojans. Mendota pumped in 25 fourth-quarter points, more than it did for the first three quarters combined, and managed to pull out the hard-fought win.

Down 32-28 with 5:32 left, Mendota’s Larkin O’Donnell connected on a three-point bomb and Bromenschenkel hit a short jumper in the lane to give the Lady Trojans a 33-32 lead. L-P went back in front on a bucket by Aubrie Roda, but Phalen banked one in from underneath to start an 8-0 run that gave Mendota the lead for good. Bromenschenkel followed with two free throws and a basket off an L-P turnover, and Barrera finished off the streak with a hoop down low at the 3:24 mark. The Lady Cavs could only get as close as five the rest of the way.

“We got outrebounded, outhustled, wouldn’t pressure the ball and wouldn’t run the offense,” said Hansen. “Then in the fourth, we exploded at both ends. We got steals and were able to convert many of those into baskets.”

Three MHS players hit double digits in scoring, led by Bromenschenkel with 17 points. Phalen contributed 12 points, 10 rebounds and six steals, while Barrera added 10 points.

Mendota improved its record to 9-3.