Sophomore Emme Timm gave her Arlington Eagles basketball team a boost Tuesday night against Fort Calhoun.
Coach Tashia Wolf's point guard spearheaded a 17-5 fourth quarter at home, breaking a 21-all tie and propelling the Eagles to their second-straight victory against the Pioneers, 38-26. It was AHS' 16th win overall and second against coach Marty Plum's squad in six days.
“We really didn't want to lose,” Timm said. “We know those girls. We're across the county, we're good friends with them and we just can't stand losing to them.”
FCHS' Jovi Grenier tied the Nebraska Capitol Conference matchup at 21-21 late during the third period with a free throw. The Pioneers (12-7 overall) had trailed 11-4 after one period and 16-10 at halftime, but were back in the game, looking to bounce back from a 54-29 conference tourney loss to the Eagles on Jan. 25.
Timm took notice and took charge.
“I usually get a couple steals a game, and I was kind of like, 'I haven't been as aggressive as I should be,'” she said after the game. “I was like, 'I'm going to see what I can do for my team.'”
First, AHS' Britt Nielsen scored two of her nine points to open the fourth quarter. The Eagles then forced an immediate turnover, allowing Timm to give her squad a 25-21 advantage with another bucket.
The Pioneers' Ansley Elofson responded with a free throw, but Timm ratcheted up her defensive pressure and scored back-to-back steals and layups for a 29-22 lead.
FCHS' Maelie Nelson provided another answer, though. Her back-to-back baskets pulled Plum's team back within three points again midway through the final period.
With the ball set to be inbounded from underneath her team's own basket, coach Wolf took a timeout to set up the play that would, ultimately, put away Arlington's Tuesday night guests. Macy Wolf, her daughter, made the 3-point attempt that followed to give the Eagles a 32-26 advantage.
“Macy's been really hot,” Timm said. “She's been a really big asset for us, and using those assets in times like that is very important.”
It paid off.
“Putting the ball in the right player's hands was really what we needed to do,” the sophomore point guard explained.
Timm added another steal and score for a 38-26 lead before Taylor Arp and she added free throws down the stretch for a 12-point win.
“Last game, we put it to them and beat them by 25,” Timm said. “But, second time around, they made the adjustments.”
The AHS standout finished with a team-best 13 points, scoring 10 of them during the fourth period. Elofson, meanwhile, led Fort Calhoun in defeat with 13 points of her own.
The Pioneers next play Tuesday against Nebraska City, while the Eagles play 6 p.m. today at Conestoga.
HIGH SCHOOL HOOPS LINE SCORE
Tuesday
Arlington 38, Fort Calhoun 26
FCHS (12-7) 4 6 11 5 — 26
AHS (16-3) 11 5 5 17 — 38
Scoring: AHS — Emme Timm 13, Britt Nielsen 9, Macy Wolf 6, Taylor Arp 4, Austyn Flesner 3, Hailey O'Daniel 2, Valeria Carvajal 1.
FCHS — Ansley Elofson 13, Raeann Massey 6, Maelie Nelson 4, Bria Bench 2, Jovi Grenier 1.
