JH Girls Lose to Hoxie
The junior high girls basketball teams both lost to good Hoxie teams on Tuesday, November 15 in St. Francis. The A-Team girls lost 23-36. The B-Team lost 7-30.
In A-Team action, the Lady Indians played well early in the contest, but just did not generate enough scoring punch to keep pace with the more experienced Hoxie team. Though the Lady Indians only led one time in the contest, after an opening free-throw by Emma Johnson, they did many good things and were within striking distance for the first three periods. Hoxie opened the contest with three early baskets (offensive rebound, cut through lane, and free-throw line jumper) to lead 1-6. Jordyn Faulkender swished consecutive free-throws cutting into the deficit, but Hoxie followed with a high-post cut and a press offense basket extending the lead to 3-10. Johnson's left wing trey made the score 6-10 at the first quarter break.
Emma Johnson's free-throw and assist on Ellee Krien's back-door cut pulled the Lady Indians within one (9-10). Hoxie answered with a fast-break basket by Ayleen Dimas. Johnson then swished another free-throw and scored on a baseline drive tying the contest at 12-all. The visitors followed with a fast-break basket by Paiton Rogers and a stick-back score by Baylee McKenna before Johnson scored two more from the stripe. Lauren Spillman scored a press-offense hoop for Hoxie. Talexa Weeter answered on an offensive rebound (16-18). Hoxie then extended the lead to 16-22 getting a right-wing score from Rogers and an offensive rebound from Spillman. St. Francis trailed 18-22 at halftime; closing the half with a Weeter break (assist Johnson).
The Lady Indians' offensive production slowed down in the second half. Hoxie's offensive rebounding took its toll; the visiting Lady Indians took multiple shots on most of their possessions. The Lady Indians only scored 5 points in the half while Hoxie gradually pulled away. Emma Johnson's assist set up a score by Jordyn Faulkender in the post to open the third period (20-22). The Lady Indians would not score again in the period but were still close at the end of three periods of play (20-25).
Hoxie increased their lead to 20-30 early in the final period, scoring on an offensive rebound, a free-throw, and a transition basket. Emma Johnson's free-throw mid-way through the period was the first point the Lady Indians had made for more than a quarter of play. Hoxie then added three more transition baskets before Johnson scored late in the game on an offensive rebound. St. Francis lost the A-Team game to a good Hoxie team 23-36.
Scoring for St. Francis were: Emma Johnson 13, Jordyn Faulkender 4, Talexa Weeter 4, and Ellee Krien 2. The Lady Indians made 8 of 16 from the free-throw line.
Hoxie was led by Paiton Rogers with 12 points. Lauren Spillman added 9 and Baylee McKenna 6. Hoxie made 2 of 7 from the stripe.
The Lady Indians will play Rawlins County in St. Francis on Thursday, November 17.
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