By Tim Wester
Sports Correspondent
To say the Union Grove girls basketball team is on a roll may be an understatement.
Union Grove (5-0) has won its games by an average margin of 29 points, including a pair of jaw-dropping victories last week against Westosha Central and Racine Case.
The Broncos jumped out to a 30-0 first-half lead against Westosha Central, on their way to 70-12 victory Tuesday, Dec. 8. Then, for good measure, the surging Broncos thumped Racine Case 67-29 Saturday, Dec. 12.
The impressive start only adds to Rob Domagalski’s expectations for his team this season.
“We continue to get better every game, regardless of who we play,” Domagalski said. “We realize that the competition will only get harder from here, so we have to improve every game we play.”
It’s hard to imagine Domagalski’s team playing any better than it is right now.
Just ask Westosha Central.
The visiting Falcons were clearly overmatched at both ends of the court as Union Grove scored the first 30 points of the contest and 70 of the total 82 points in the game.
Sophomore transfer Brooklyn Bull continued her strong early season with a game-high 21 points, while senior Janelle Shiffler added 12 to lead the way to the lobsided victory.
“We learn from every game we play, including blowout victories,” Domagalski said. “I’d much rather learn from a win than loss. But we know that we have areas that need improvement in order for us to contend for a conference championship and make a playoff run.”
The areas that need improvement certainly weren’t apparent to Racine Case either.
In similar fashion to the Westosha game, the Broncos blitzed Case from the opening tip en route to a 32-17 halftime lead and a 67-29 victory on the second day of the Racine Lakeshore Officials Association Holiday Classic at Prairie.
The Broncos were originally slated to take on Kenosha St. Joe’s as an opening round tournament game the day prior, but the game was cancelled due to a scheduling conflict with St. Joe’s.
The Broncos are looking to add a game against Kenosha Tremper in February to avoid losing a game on the schedule.
Senior Frankie Pettit led a balanced scoring attack with 13 points, junior Jenna Rainey added 12 in her first career start, and senior Janelle Shiffler poured in nine points and 13 rebounds to pace the attack.
“One thing that’s similar to last year’s team is that we have more than one girl that can score,” said Domagalski, who directed the Broncos to a 20-4 record and a Southern Lakes Conference co-championship last season. “This makes it hard to scout us.
Domagalski certainly has had an easier time scouting the competition.
Union Grove has held opponents to just 28 points per game so far in early season action.
“We are certainly acting like we are one of the tough teams in our conference,” Domagalski said. “Our presence is pretty dominant, and we have to continue to have swagger. But we certainly have that swagger thus far.”
Domagalski’s squad will certainly need its swagger this week when it hosts perennial power Prairie tomorrow and then travels to Southern Lakes Conference foe Burlington on Tuesday.
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