Lady Indians Lose in Double Overtime
The junior high girls basketball teams played Rawlins County, in Atwood, on Thursday, December 11. The Lady Buffaloes won both contests. The A team Lady Indians lost in double overtime, 43-40. The B team girls were defeated by a score of 6-20.
St. Francis opened the scoring with an assist by Lindsey Johnson leading to a basket by Lauren Johnson. Rawlins County (RC) scored twice before Karly Bandel made an assist to Jessica Confer leading to a score on an out-of-bounds play to tie the game. Rawlins County followed with a nice post-move by their strong center Ashlynn Merz. Another Lindsey to Lauren assist resulted in a score from the right wing. RC nailed a right wing jumper at the buzzer to lead 8-6 after one quarter.
A Lady Buffs' fast-break extended the lead to four (10-6) early in the second period. After an offensive rebound basket by Taighe Weeter, the Lady Buffs scored on the break again, this time after a Lady Indian turnover. With 2:15 left in the half, Jessica Confer earned a stick-back basket to pull the Lady Indians within two. St. Francis trailed 10-13 at halftime.
The Lady Indians took the lead (14-13) in the first minute of the third period on a basket by Lauren Johnson (assist Jessica Confer) and two free-throws by Lindsey Johnson. Rawlins County scored 8 points in the next three minutes to take a 14-21 lead. The first three baskets came after offensive rebounds, and the fourth on a nice shot from the right wing. The Lady Indians answered with eight points of their own in the last two minutes of the quarter. St. Francis received baskets from Hannah Zimbal, Lauren Johnson, Taige Weeter, and two free throws from Lindsey Johnson to trail 22-23 after three periods.
Rawlins County scored two quick transition baskets to open the final period. Karly Bandel fouled out with 2:53 remaining. After an exchange of free throws, the Lady Indians scored three consecutive baskets (Lindsey Johnson - assist Jessica Confer; Confer - assist Lindsey; steal Lindsey - Lauren assist to Confer right elbow shot) to retake the lead 29-28 with 1:33 remaining. On the next RC possession, Lauren earned a steal, and the "keep-away" game began. With the Lady Indians moving the ball well to run out the clock, RC eventually fouled with 27 seconds remaining. St. Francis missed their free-throw attempt. The Lady Indians fouled with 15 seconds left. In the double bonus, RC missed both of their attempts. St. Francis had another shot at the line late in the contest, but also missed. With 3 three seconds left, the Lady Indians fouled on a Lady Buffs' drive to the basket. Amy Crouse sank one of two for the Lady Buffs to send the contest into overtime.
Twelve seconds into the first overtime, Lauren Johnson was whistled for her fifth foul. RC made a shot from the left wing after good execution on press offense. Hannah Zimbal made 1-of-2 free-throws in two consecutive trips to the line to tie the contest at 31-all with 1:44 left. After being fouled while rebounding, Lindsey Johnson made 1-of-2 to give the Lady Indians a 32-31 lead with 45 seconds left. Moments later, Lindsey scored on an offensive rebound. With 0:21 on the clock, RC answered with an offensive rebound basket of their own (34-33). With 17 seconds left, the Lady Indians committed a turnover. The Lady Buffs connected on a shot from the right wing at 7 seconds to take the lead, 34-35. Lindsey Johnson drove coast to coast and was fouled with one tick left. Lindsey made 1-of-2 to tie the game and send it to another overtime period.
With both teams in the double bonus, the second overtime became a free-throw contest. Two St. Francis fouls allowed RC to earn a 35-37 lead after making 2-of-4. A Lady Indian turnover led to a RC lay-up at 1:54. Taylor Kinzer made a shot from the top-of-the-key with 1:36 remaining move the score to 37-39. With 44 seconds left Lindsey Johnson drew a charge on the RC ball-handler to give the Lady Indians a much-needed possession. St. Francis failed to score, and the Lady Indians were called for another foul with 32 seconds left sending Lindsey Johnson to the bench. RC sank both attempts to lead 37-41. With 8 seconds left, the Lady Buffs scored again on a fast-break. Jesscia Confer tossed in a trey at the buzzer to bring the final score to 40-43.
Lindsey Johnson and Jessica Confer led the Lady Indians' scoring with 13 and 11 respectively. Others adding the St. Francis point total were: Lauren Johnson 6, Taighe Weeter 4, Hannah Zimbal 4, and Taylor Kinzer 2. The Lady Indians made 9 of 20 free-throws while Rawlins County connected on 7 of 18. The two teams attempted eighteen total free-throws in the overtime periods. Jessica Confer grabbed 12 rebounds and Lindsey Johnson 11.
The B team Lady Indians were defeated by Rawlins County 6-20. The Lady Indians failed to score in the first period while allowing 6 points. The halftime score was 1-12, and the third period ended with the Lady Indians trailing 1-16. Scoring for St. Francis in the B team game were: Jayden McGinnis 2, Shalyn Zweygardt 2, Hannah Zimbal 1, and Teagan Landenberger 1.
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