Hoxie Wins Battle of Lady Indians
The Hoxie Lady Indians defeated the St. Francis Lady Indians in girls varsity basketball in Hoxie on Thursday evening, February 14. The game was a make-up game that was postponed twice earlier due to weather. Hoxie won the contest 35-45. The loss was the 11th straight loss to Hoxie on their home floor. The Lady Indians' last victory in Hoxie came in 1997. The Lady Indians defeated Hoxie 52-50 in the NWKL Tournament on January 18 of this year. There was no junior varsity contest.
Though the Lady Indians led early in the contest, Hoxie held the advantage throughout most of the game and led by as many as 17 late in the contest. The Lady Indians played very good defense throughout the first half, but struggled to get the ball in the basket. The Lady Indians' lower shooting percentage certainly did not help the St. Francis cause. Both teams struggled to score in the first quarter as both teams played intensely on defense and missed numerous shots. Karly Bandel swished two free-throws to open the scoring. At 4:35 in the first quarter, Hoxie called time-out trailing 2-0. A Bandel assist to led to a score by Lauren Johnson in the post, but a Lady Indian turnover soon resulted in a lay-up by Macy Schamberger (5' 7" Jr.). The Lady Indians led 6-2 after an out-of-bounds play assist by Bandel led to a basket by Lindsey Johnson on an outstanding lob play. At the first quarter horn, the score stood at 6-2.
Things were about to change, and the scoring pace would soon increase. Emma Johnson's jumper from the right elbow opened the second period. The 8-2 lead would be the largest the Lady Indians would hold. A left-wing trey by Addie Campbell (5' 4" Jr.) was the first of four treys the Hoxie girls would rain in the second period. After a baseline score by Lindsey Johnson, Macy Schamberger drained a left-wing trey for Hoxie. Campbell's two free-throws tied the contest at 10-all with 5:56 left in the first half. After a St. Francis timeout, an assist from Campbell to Schamberger led to another Hoxie left-wing trey. Hoxie regained the lead at 5:15 and would hold it though the remainder of the contest. A free-throw by Hannah Zimbal was followed by an assist from Trinity Balluch (5' 9" Sr.) leading to another score by Schamberger. On the next Hoxie possession, St. Francis drew a charge on a drive, and Alondra Gomez followed with a nice driving score (13-15). On the ensuing possession, Schamberger drained another trey; this one from the top-of-the-key. The next Hoxie score resulted from a beautiful pass by Campbell to Macalee White (5' 6" Sr.) on a baseline cut. White then added a fast-break lay-up when the Lady Indians failed to transition defensively. At 2:09, St. Francis took another time-out trailing 13-22. Only one more basket would be added in the first half, and it came after a turnover on the next St. Francis possession; a basket by White. St. Francis trailed at halftime 13-24.
Lauren Johnson swished a right-wing trey for the Lady Indians to open the third period (assist Karly Bandel). Hoxie answered with a drive by Addie Campbell and lane score by Bailey McKenna (5' 6" So.) The deficit was now twelve (16-28). A free-throw by Hannah Zimbal was followed by a driving score by Bandel. At 3:01, Hoxie called time-out leading by nine. A left-wing trey by Emma Johnson trimmed the deficit to six (22-28). Maiah Castle (5' 7" Sr.) added a basket from the lane for Hoxie. After free-throws by Jordyn Faulkender (1 of 2) and Emma Johnson (2 of 2), the Lady Indians narrowed the margin to five (25-30). On the next two Hoxie possessions, the Lady Indians positioned themselves well and drew charges on back-to-back defensive plays (Bandel and Lindsey Johnson). Hoxie's Lexi Torleumke (added a final free-throw to complete the third period scoring. St. Francis trailed 25-31.
Hannah Zimbal opened the final period with a nice post basket for the Lady Indians. Hoxie followed with 4 consecutive field goals. Three came on consecutive Hoxie possessions when the Lady Indians failed to rotate efficiently on defense and allowed close-range scores. Castle, McKenna, and Balluch each scored from inside three feet. St. Francis called time-out at 5:35 to adjust. After returning to the action, Schamberger swished a left-baseline trey giving Hoxie a 27-40 lead. The only other score for several minutes was a free-throw by Karly Bandel. At 2:36, Hoxie used their 3rd time-out. Castle then added two free-throws and McKenna a fast-break basket. St. Francis called their fourth time-out with 1:50 remaining. A Schamberger free-throw moments later gave Hoxie their largest lead of the game; 17 points (28-45). Hoxie would not score again. St. Francis added four free-throws by Zimbal and trey by Emma Johnson. The Lady had played hard, but were defeated by Hoxie 35-45.
Macy Schamberger led all scorers with 15 points. Addie Campbell added 7. Macalee White, Bailey McKenna, and Maiah Castle each chipped in 6 for Hoxie. Hoxie made 6 of 8 from the line, committed 20 fouls, 15 and had turnovers.
St. Francis received 10 points from Emma Johnson and 8 from Hannah Zimbal. Others scoring for the Lady Indians were Lauren Johnson 5, Karly Bandel 5, Lindsey Johnson 4, Alondra Gomez 2 and Jordyn Faulkender 1. St. Francis had 14 fouls, made 12 of 16 from the stripe, and committed 22 turnovers.
The Lady Indians will play Greeley County in Tribune on Friday, February 15, and will play Northern Valley in St. Francis on Monday, February 18, at 7:00 p.m. in the quarter-final round of the Regional Tournament.
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