JH Girls Sweep Dighton
On Thursday, November 15, the junior high girls basketball teams hosted the Dighton Lady Hornets. The Lady Indians earned wins in all of the contests played. St. Francis won the A-team game in a come-from-behind contest 24-21. The B-team Lady Indians defeated the Lady Hornets 29-16 and the C-team beat Dighton in a lop-sided contest 15-2.
Dighton jumped out to an early 0-7 lead in the A-team game using good defensive pressure to disrupt the Lady Indians. Dighton received a left-wing trey from Brianna Moughlin (8th) and a free-throw area jumper from Ericka Felker (7th) early in the contest. A post basket by Jessica Whipple (8th) extended the lead to 0-7. Late in the first period, the Lady Indians received a right-wing jumper from Ellee Krien, and on the successive possession earned a right-baseline basket by Makaila Matthies. The Lady Indians trailed 4-7 at the first quarter break.
The Lady Hornets switched to a two-front zone late in the first period and used it the remainder of the contest. The only basket scored in the first half of the second period was a left-elbow score by Felker for the Hornets. After time-outs by both teams midway through the period, St. Francis earned six consecutive points receiving free-throws from Krien and Jesslynn Houtman, an offensive rebound basket from Rian Zimbal, and two free-throws by Zimbal. The latter free-throw by Zimbal gave the Lady Indians their first lead of the contest (10-9) with 23 seconds remaining in the half. The advantage did not last long, as the Lady Hornets' Allie von Leonrod (8th) scored on the ensuing Dighton possession. St. Francis trailed at halftime, 10-11, but had recovered from the early deficit.
Early in the third period, Dighton earned a basket in the lane on an assist from Whipple to von Leonrod. Finding it difficult to score, the Lady Indians took a time-out at 3:15. The teams would tally 9 more points in the final minutes of the period with Dighton increasing their advantage. A post basket by Whipple was followed by a steal-two by Felker increasing the deficit to 10-17. After a free-throw by Jessjynn Houtman, Rian Zimbal added two on a nice jumper from the the right elbow. The final score of the period was a trey by Felker from the top of the key. The score stood at 13-19 at the third quarter break.
The Lady Indians owned the final period, outscoring the Hornets 13-4. Ellee Krien opened the period with a top-of-the-key trey. Whipple answered with a lay-up after a Lady Indian turnover. Krien then added two free-throws and a lay-up. Jesslynn Houtman made a nice assist on the Krien score. With 3:43 remaining, Dighton took a time-out leading 20-21. After another quick time-out, this one by St. Francis at 3:03, Whipple added another offensive rebound score to the Hornets total. On the ensuing possession, Makaila Matthies made an assist leading to a post basket by Rian Zimbal. With 1:53 to go, Krien drained another trey from the top giving the lead to the St. Francis (25-23). Though three time-outs were used in the final 1:15, the only additional score was a free-throw by Krien at the 46 second mark. St. Francis held on to complete a come-from-behind win, 26-23.
Dighton was led in scoring by Ericka Felker and Jessica Whipple; each with 8 points. Scoring for St. Francis were Ellee Krien 14, Rian Zimbal 8, Makaila Matthies 2, and Jesslynn Houtman 2. The Lady Hornets were 0 of 1 from the line; St. Francis was 8 of 14.
In the B-team contest, St. Francis and Dighton were tied at 4-all after one period. St. Francis earned 10 points in the second period getting 6 from Matilynn Smull and two each from Jackie Milliken and Maggie Hingst to lead 14-6 at halftime.
In the third period, St. Francis received 5 from Makaila Matthies and 4 from Smull to lead 23-8. St. Francis cruised to a 29-16 win over the Dighton Lady Hornets.
Charlie Koerner (7th) led the Hornets in scoring in the B-team contest. St. Francis received points from Matilynn Smull (10), Maggie Hingst (9), Makaila Matthies (5), Janae Moberly (2), and Kinley Havel (2).
Scoring for St. Francis in the 15-2 C-team win were: Madilynn Smull 5, Maggie Hingst 4, Sophie White 2, Janae Moberly 2, and Kinley Havel 2.
The Lady Indians will play Quinter, at Quinter, on Monday, November 19.
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