Lady Cards Battle Early, Fade Late Against Laconia

Brielle Ehlers scored 11 points in the game against Laconia, making one three-pointer, as well, displaying her strong offensive skills as a freshman.

Madison Justman gets a hand up in the face of the Laconia ball handler while on defense.

Laila Dobberphul drives around the Laconia defense in the game on Tuesday, Jan. 20.

Clarice Case photos

Lydia Case tries to drive into the lane, drawing a foul for a trip to the free throw line.

Aubree Koput found an opportunity to steal the ball away from the Spartans in the final moments of the game on Tuesday night.

Brooke Waas puts pressure on the Laconia guard as she comes down the court.

Posted Friday, January 30, 2026 9:15 am

By Kari Karnitz
Journalist

The Mayville girls’ basketball team kept pace early but couldn’t sustain it over two halves, falling 63–44 to Laconia Tuesday night in a home conference matchup. The loss drops the Cardinals to 4-11 on the season.

Mayville traded baskets with the Spartans throughout the opening half and trailed by just two at the break, 30–28. The Cardinals found early offensive opportunities, attacking the lane and getting to the free-throw line, but Laconia took control after halftime, outscoring Mayville 33–16 over the final half to pull away.

Freshman Ady Christian led Mayville with 15 points, adding seven rebounds, five steals, and four assists despite constant pressure from the Spartans’ defense. Fellow freshman Brielle Ehlers provided a spark with 11 points, while senior Layla Budahn added eight points and a team-high 10 rebounds. Madison Justman chipped in eight boards, three assists, and two steals as the Cardinals battled on the glass.

Mayville struggled to find consistency offensively in the second half, shooting 28.6 percent from the field and turning the ball over 26 times against Laconia’s defensive pressure. The Spartans also made the most of trips to the free-throw line, helping extend their lead down the stretch.

Looking ahead, the Cardinals (4-11) hit the road next week for a non-conference game at Chilton (5-12) after print time on Monday Jan. 26. Mayville then returns home Tuesday, Jan. 27, to host Saint Mary’s Springs (7-9) before traveling to Omro (12-3) on Friday, Jan. 30, for a rescheduled conference game following last week’s cold-weather postponement. Tipoff for the Omro game is set for 7 p.m.

GAME SUMMARY

Tuesday, Jan. 20

MAY 28-16-44

LAC 30-33-63

POINTS: Christian, 15 pts.; Ehlers, 11 pts.; L. Budahn, 8 pts.; Waas, 4 pts. Witek, 4 pts.; Justman, 1 pt.; Case, 1 pts.

REB: L. Budahn, 10; Justman, 8; Christian, 7; Elhers, 5; Waas, 4; Witek, 3

ASSIST: Christian, 4; Justman, 3; Witek, 2; L. Budahn, 1

STL: Christian, 5; L. Budahn, 2; Justman, 2; Koput, 1

3PTS: Christian, 1; Ehlers, 1; Witek, 1

FTM: Christian, 6; Ehlers, 2; L. Budahn, 2; Case,1; Justman, 1; Witek, 1

FGM: 14

BLK: 5