1998-99
GIRL'S BASKETBALL RECAPS
April 6, 1999
Gehring, Parr close partnership in style
Ex-North teammates help Hotties win title
By Mark Andrew Trapani, Leader-Telegram staff
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For teammates Kristi Gehring and Larissa Parr, Tuesday night's Eau Claire YMCA girls high school basketball championship was like a cream-filled donut frosted with salt.
It was bittersweet.
The pair, who played on Eau Claire North's varsity volleyball and basketball teams the past two seasons, combined to score 18 points while helping the Eau Claire North Hotties to a 52-41 victory over Eau Claire Memorial Skornicka's Purple.
The win prompted a bushel of high-fives, hugs and smiles. But as trophies, T-shirts and congratulations were being handed out to the victors, reality set in for both players.
They had just played their last game together.
"I never get to play with these guys again, so winning feels great," said Gehring a senior. "But I'm going to miss playing with them. It's been a lot of fun."
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Gehring, a 5-foot-9 forward and teammate Lindsey Rongstad, a sophomore guard, led the Hotties with 10 points each.
Parr, a sophomore who finished with eight points, said taking the court next year without Gehring will be tough.
"She's just a great player," Parr said. "She's one of the best we have ever had at North. I know I'm really going to miss her."
Gehring will attend Carthage College in Kenosha, where she plans try out for the volleyball and basketball teams. She promised to return and cheer on her former teammates.
"I can't wait to come back and watch her play," Gehring said of Parr. "She's just an awesome player. I can't wait to see what she's going to do."
Gehring and Parr made the most of their last chance to play together. The pair combined to lead the Hotties to a 28-12 first half lead that Skornicka's was never able to overcome.
Joanna Leafblad led Skornicka's with 14 points, while teammate Amanda Buchholz chipped in 12.
"Things just didn't go our way," Leafblad said. "We knew we hadn't played our best at the start, so we just talked about digging deep and stepping up the intensity."
During the Hotties' early run, the 6-foot Parr displayed some of what Gehring expects from her the next two seasons -- a potpourri of enthusiasm, hustle, rebounds, blocked shots, steals and even a little ball-handling.
Parr set the tone for the Hotties by stepping in front of a Skornicka's pass near half-court midway through the opening quarter. She then outraced the other nine players down the floor and converted a floating lay-up to give the Hotties a 9-4 lead.
Afterward, Parr smiled and waved toward the 100 or so friends, family and fans who had gathered to watch the intracity rivals play.
"This is just for fun," Parr said of the YMCA tournament. "I really wanted to win, especially since we were playing our crosstown rivals. But I like to have fun and talk to the crowd when I play because I know its something I can't do in the regular season."
In Tuesday's other girls action, the Altoona Rails downed Mondovi III 56-33 in the consolation finals behind 13 points from Jessica Huettl.
Colfax Red forfeited to Eau Claire North II in the third place game.
EAU CLAIRE MEMORIAL SKORNICKA'S PURPLE (41)
FG-FT-F-TP: Melissa Kaiser 0-0-5-0, Christine Graham 3-0-3-6, Amanda Kirk 0-0-1-0, Joanna Leafblad 6-0-1-14, Lisa Petermann 1-4-1-6, Amanda Buchholz 5-2-1-12, Erin Barr 0-0-0-0, Tanya Lien 1-0-0-3, Holly Norrish 0-0-1-0. Totals 16-6-13-41.
EAU CLAIRE NORTH HOTTIES (52)
Heather Quilling 2-1-4-5, Larisa Parr 4-0-3-8, Courtney Fering 1-2-1-4, Lindsey Rongstad 5-0-0-10, Anne Connell 3-0-1-9, Kristi Gehring 4-0-4-10, Susie Evans 3-0-3-6, Sara Fritz 0-0-1-0. Totals 22-3-17-52.
Skornicka's 7 5 17 12 -- 41
Hotties 14 14 17 7 -- 52
3-point goals: Skornicka's, Leafblad 2, Lien; Hotties,Connell 3, Gehring 2.