TigerHawk girls win first

By Jerry Wadian
Sports Editor
jwadian@thefayettecountyunion.com

It took a fourth-quarter rally, but the North Fayette Valley girls won their first basketball game of the season, 46-42, over South Winn Friday in Calmar. 

The first half was a seesaw affair with SW taking an 8-5 advantage in the first quarter, but the TigerHawks rallied for a 19-18 lead by halftime.

The Warriors responded with a 17-13 edge in the third quarter.

One thing noted about the NFV girls this season is they don’t quit. Over the final eight minutes they put on the defensive clamps and outhustled their hosts, 14-7, to pick up win number one.

The NFV gals held the Warriors without a field goal over the final eight minutes!

Head coach Sean Leonard said, “Our ability to get to the free throw line, which we've stressed lately, was the deciding factor. Anytime you can make more free throws than the other team shoots, you give yourself a great shot at winning. 

“We really did a nice job of taking their two best scorers out of the game. I'm just extremely proud of the girls for sticking together and getting out with a win heading into break.”

Chloe Johansen had her best game as a varsity player with 13 points and seven boards.

Kim Rounds put in nine points. Becca Miller, Marrah Burrack, and Jade Daughton added seven points apiece. Makayla Kaeppel did not score, but swept the boards for a team-high 10 rebounds.

NFV 5 14 13 14 46

SW 8 10 17 7 42

Points- Johansen, 13. Daughton, 7; Rounds, 9; Miller, 7; Burrack, 7, C. Hanson, 3; Rebounds- Kappel, 10; C. Hanson, 7; Johansen, 7; Miller, 5; Daughton, 2; Rounds, Burrack. Assists- Miller, 3; Rounds, 2; Burrack. Steals- Rounds, 4; Daughton.

Tuesday’s (Dec. 16) home game against Starmont was decided in the second quarter as the Stars went on a 16-3 run to give them a 25-11 lead at the half. 

NFV’s offense finally came to life in the final quarter as the TigerHawks outscored the visitors, 27-14.

Jade Daughton was the big gun for NFV with 14 points. Chloe Johansen and Kim Rounds scored nine points apiece.

Star. 9 16 17 14 56

NFV 8 3 11 27 49

Points- Daughton, 14; Kaeppel, 3; Rounds, 9; Burrack, 6, B. Hanson, 4; C. Hanson, 4; Johansen, 9. 3-pointers- Daughton, Rounds. 

The TigerHawk girls will be on holiday break until Tuesday, Jan. 6, in West Union when they face preseason UIC favorite Clayton Ridge. 

Going into the holidays, Leonard observed, “We continue to improve each week! We're excited to get to break and really be able to break things down and fix as much as we can. We also have plans to add some things to what we do.”