Lady Indians Defeat Hoxie
Seldom in recent history have the Lady Indians defeated Hoxie in girls basketball, but on Tuesday, November 17, the junior high Lady Indians played well enough to earn a narrow victory over the visiting Lady Indians. St. Francis won the A team contest 41-40. St. Francis lost the B team game, 16-43.
It did not take Hoxie long to score in the A team game. The visiting Lady Indians scored a lay-up off the opening tip. After a St. Francis turnover on the next possession, Hoxie quickly scored again. The Lady Indians were down 0-4, and the Hoxie pressure was already beginning to take a toll. A nice pass from Jessica Confer led to a basket by Lauren Johnson on press offense to get St. Francis on the board. Hoxie followed with another basket resulting from a Lady Indian turnover and a perimeter shot to move the score to 2-8. Consecutive baskets by Jessica Confer, both set up by Lauren Johnson assists, trimmed the margin to 6-8. The score was tied after one quarter of play (8-8) after a Confer assist led to a Lauren Johnson score.
Hoxie scored the first eight points of the second period to lead 8-16. A driving basket by Lindsey Johnson halted the Hoxie run. The deficit increased to 10-19 after Hoxie scored on an offensive rebound (plus one). Another drive by Lindsey moved the score to 12-19. A right-wing jumper by Lauren Johnson advanced the scoreboard to 14-21, but Hoxie answered from the post moments later. St. Francis trailed 18-23 at halftime, after Lauren sank four consecutive free throws late in the first half.
The Lady Indians increased their intensity in the second half, creating turnovers with pressure defense, rebounding well, and executing better offensively. After a Hoxie free throw, Jessica Confer scored on an offensive rebound. Lauren Johnson sank a jump shot, and sister Lindsey earned a steal-two to tie game (24-24) at the 4:42 mark. Hoxie sandwiched an offensive rebound basket by Lindsey Johnson with two baskets on press offense when the Lady Indians failed to get back quickly enough on defense. Another offensive rebound basket by Lindsey tied the contest at 28-all. A right wing jumper by Lauren Johnson tied the contest again at 30-all with 1:05 left in the third period. St. Francis earned their first lead of the game (31-30) when Jessica Confer made one-of-two free throws with less than a minute to play. A final basket, again a result of good press offense, gave Hoxie a 31-32 lead after three periods.
The Lady Indians gained a 33-32 lead with 5:18 left, after an inbounds pass by Karly Bandel set up another Jessica Confer basket. Lindsey Johnson added a free throw to increase the lead to 34-32, and a Lauren to Lindsey give-and-go basket at 4:22 increased the lead to 36-32. Lauren added another free throw a bit later, and the Lady Indians led 37-32. Unfortunately, two consecutive turnovers by the Lady Indians resulted in quick baskets for Hoxie (37-36). A basket by Lindsey Johnson moved the scoreboard to 39-36 at 2:10. Hoxie scored on a fast break at 1:44 and St. Francis took a time-out to discuss strategy. St. Francis was in the double bonus. Though the Lady Indians did not shoot free throws well late in the contest (making only 2 of 10 in the last 1:21), two free throws, both by Lauren Johnson, were enough to seal the win as Hoxie could only earn one additional basket in several possessions. St. Francis defeated Hoxie 41-40.
Only three Lady Indians scored in the contest. Lindsey Johnson led all scorers with 17 points. Lauren Johnson scored 15 and Jessica Confer 9. Hoxie was led by Addi Campbell with 12 and Trinity Balluch with 10. Lauren Johnson grabbed 12 rebounds for the Lady Indians.
St. Francis led the B team game 8-6 after one quarter of play. Hoxie then turned up the defensive pressure and began to take control. The Lady Indians trailed 12-20 at halftime and 14-30 after three quarters. Hoxie defeated St. Francis in the B team game 16-43.
Scoring in the B team contest for the Lady Indians were Hannah Zimbal 12, Shalyn Zweygardt 2, Taylor Kinzer 1, and Echoe Lennox 1. Hoxie was led by Torluemke with 10 and Williams and McKenna with 8 each.
The Lady Indians will play Rawlins County, in St. Francis, on Thursday, November 20.
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