The Mustangs lost their first matchup with Hawks on January 8th, but it was a different story when they went on the road one month later. PCM led by ten at one point in the third quarter, but South Hamilton fought back behind three three-pointers in the fourth quarter from Emma Lewis. With the Hawks up by two with a minute left, Senior Riley Hjortshoj provided the biggest play of the night.
Hjortshoj’s three-point play put PCM up by one with 55 seconds remaining. Sophomore Paige Steenhoek hit two clutch free throws down the stretch to put PCM up by three. South Hamilton had a chance to tie, but Lewis’ three-pointer bounced off the rim. The victory for the Mustangs was their fourth and final victory of the 2020-21 season.
The Mustangs’ second-leading scorer from 2020-21 was Sophomore Paige Steenhoek, who averaged six points per game and knocked down 27% of her three-pointers. Steenhoek is also the only starter returning for the Mustangs, as Baird, Riley Hjortshoj, Celeste Wagaman, and Emma George will be graduating.
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The Mustangs’ girls will be replacing 80% of their starting lineup as Seniors Lilli Baird, Emma George, Celeste Wagaman, and Riley Hjortshoj will be graduating in the summer. The only starter returning will be sophomore Paige Steenhoek, who was second on the team in scoring at about six points per game.
Players that will compete for starting spots include Sophia Steenhoek, Emily Foster, and Maddie Reed. The Mustangs finished 4-18 on the season with a first-round playoff loss at Nevada.
Senior Lilli Baird led the way for the Mustangs, averaging 11 points per game, and was second on the team in three-point shooting, knocking down 26% from beyond the arc. Second on the team in scoring for PCM was sophomore Paige Steenhoek, who averaged six points per game and knocked down 27% of her three-pointers.
PCM will be looking to fill four starting spots next season as Baird, Emma George, Celeste Wagaman, and Riley Hjortshoj will be graduating. Players looking to fill starting spots next year will include sophomores Sidney Shaver and Maddie Reed as well as Junior Emily Foster. The Mustangs were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by conference rival Nevada.