Boys Defeat Brewster
Girls Lose to Lady Dawgs
On Tuesday night, February 2nd, the St. Francis High School basketball teams traveled to Brewster for competition. The varsity boys won their contest while the varsity girls and junior varsity boys teams both lost. There was no junior varsity girls game.
The Indians boys defeated Brewster for the second time this season. The Indians defeated the Bulldogs for the championship of the Sagebrush Invitational back in December. This contest was closer than the first matchup between the two teams, with St. Francis winning by a narrow five point margin.
The Indians led 13-5 after one quarter of play and continued to lead at halftime (22-18). St. Francis scored a couple of quick baskets early in the third quarter to take a 28-18 lead with 4:16 remaining in the third quarter. The Indians led by ten (35-25) after three quarters of play. Early in the fourth quarter, Brewster began using a full court press in an attempt to get back into the game. The Indians responded with a couple turnovers for quick Bulldog scores and the lead was soon cut to five (39-34) with 2:19 to go. After a timeout, Brett Lampe made a nice assist to Garrett Figgins for a much needed basket for the Indians. The lead increased to seven points. Brewster answered with a basket of their own to cut the lead to five (41-36) with 1:52 remaining. In the next few moments, St. Francis was fouled and missed both free throws. After another Brewster failed shot attempt, the Bulldogs fouled Isaac Schiltz who made 2 free throws with 1:08 remaining. Brett Lampe made one of two free throws with 39 seconds remaining to make the score 44-36. Brewster elected to foul again with 17.6 seconds to go. St. Francis missed the free throw and the Bulldogs hit a three to cut the lead to five points. Final score: St. Francis 44 - Brewster 36.
Matt Raile led all scorers with 27 points. Trent Raile scored 9. Brewster was led in scoring by Selby with 24. Allen added 8 for the Bulldogs. Brewster had more treys (8) in the game than two point baskets (7).
The junior varsity boys lost their game (two quarters only) to the Bulldogs. St. Francis led 15-6 part way through the first period and led by ten (15-10) at the quarter break. The Indians could only score three points in the second quarter while the Bulldogs found their offense. The Bulldogs went on a 18-3 run to defeat the Indians 18-24.
In varsity girls action, the Lady Indians jumped out to a 8-0 lead with 4:41 remaining in the first quarter and held on to lead 13-12 after one quarter of play. Brewster took the lead (16-17) with 2:44 left in the half. The Lady Bulldogs extended their lead to 16-21. With 1:45 left in the half, Brewster's outstanding player, Nichelle Erskine, injured her leg and left the game. St. Francis cut the lead to 19-21 at halftime.
In the third period, the Lady Bulldogs took advantage of several Lady Indians mistakes and began to stretch their lead. The Lady Indians trailed 25-33 with 3:51 left in the third and 35-44 when the quarter closed. Brewster continued to extend their lead in the fourth quarter, increasing the advantage to sixteen points (40-56) with 2:45 left in the game. St. Francis lost the game 46-59.
Jodie Hilt scored 18 to lead the Lady Indians in scoring. Shayla and Christina Hilt each added 10 points. Lady Bulldog Nichelle Erskine led all scorers with 27 points though she played with a noticeable injury. St. Francis was only 6 of 19 from the free throw line while Brewster was 15-26.
Next action for the teams will be on Friday, February 5th, when they host the teams from Goodland in St. Francis.
