Janesville Parker needs to win down the stretch if they want to join Verona and Middleton at the top of Big Eight girl's basketball

Big Eight:

For standings go to:

http://prepstats.madison.com/?view=league&view_id=92&sport_id=2

Key games before WIAA playoffs:

Middleton at Janesville Parker Feb. 20.

Verona at Madison West Feb. 26.

Verona at Madison Memorial Mar. 4.

Verona, at 11-2, stands one-half game behind Middleton and Janesville Parker, but they have a great chance at finishing ahead both of them or finishing in a tie with one of them. If Verona takes care of business down the stretch, facing four Big Eight teams under- .500 to finish the conference season, they will most certainly win out and finish with two losses. Therefore, the Middleton and Janesville Parker game on February 20th becomes very important, and it essentially becomes an elimination game. The loser will have three losses, and they will have to hope both Verona and the winner lose to opponent’s under- .500. The winning team will, in contrast, control its own destiny with a great chance to finish with a share of the title.

The last time Middleton and Janesville Parker met, Middleton won 52-24 and gained a 12-point halftime lead Parker couldn’t come back from. This time, the game is in Janesville. The beginning of the game is crucial with these very evenly matched teams. If either team lets the other jump out to a big lead, it will be hard to regroup. Middleton and Verona are the defending champions, as they shared the title last year with 15-3 records. Janesville Parker finished 14-4, including losses to both Middleton and Verona at the end of the season.

Both games were on the road, however. Janesville Parker gets the edge with the home game this year. They need someone else to step up with Danielle Flood, who has averaged 15.8 points per game in conference games. Flood scored 12 points on January 16 versus Middleton, and Jackie Shepler added 12. They a need another hero, which may be Kaynessa Zinn. Zinn has scored double-digit points in eight conference games this season, and Parker is 7-1 in those games. However, they are 7-0 when she is with a group of three or more.