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Rugby girls’ basketball stays undefeated

Panthers win 68-52 against Carrington

By Sue Sitter - | Jan 28, 2023

Sue Sitter/PCT Rugby Panthers forward Joey Wolf launches herself upward for a shot against the Carrington Cardinals in Carrington Saturday, Jan. 21.

The Rugby Panthers girls’ basketball squad stayed undefeated after a trip to Carrington Saturday, Jan. 21, where the Panthers swatted away the Cardinals 68-52.

The Panthers broke out with an early lead at the game’s start with Rugby’s Peyton Hauck landing the first bucket.

The Cardinals’ defense stayed close to the Panthers. At times their efforts cost them.

Hauck and forward Mykell Heidlebaugh landed free throws from personal fouls against them in the first quarter. Hauck would land both of her two shots, while Heidlebaugh made three of four shots from two trips to the line.

Forward Kendyl Hager landed a shot from the outside to help the Panthers establish a 14-8 lead in the first quarter.

The Cardinals swooped onto the court after a short break, ready to take the Panthers down.

Carrington’s Kasey Rexin landed a three-point shot. The Panthers’ defense seemed to lose ground as Cardinals shots found their marks.

Cardinal Haley Wolsky tied the score.

Rugby surged ahead again, this time with a three-point shot by Hager.

But Carrington’s offense continued undaunted, with two outside shots by forward Isabel Wendel, who would lead the Cards with 17 points in the game.

Wendel’s second three-pointer put Carrington ahead 25-24 as the final seconds of the half ticked away.

A buzzer-beating shot from the half court line by Rugby’s Megan Buckmeier ended the half with Rugby in front 27-25.

Both teams scratched their way to ties, and then small leads for the next quarter. Hager and Heidlebaugh landed three-point shots.

Carrington’s Wendel, Madison Johnson and Edyn Hoornaert landed three-pointers, too. Fouls came from both sides, and Wolsky, Wendel and Kaydence Van Ray took trips to the free throw line. Wendel landed two of two free-throws, while Van Ray and Wolsky each landed one.

The third quarter ended with a 43-42 Rugby lead, and a bigger lead in fouls for Carrington.

Even without the free throws Heidlebaugh, forward Joey Wolf and guard Peyton Hauck would land, Rugby outscored the Cardinals, the Panthers’ defense upping the pressure.

Hager would land two more distance shots, racking up six of them for the game. Hauck landed one of her own. As guard Emma Hone fouled out for the game, Heidlebaugh took multiple trips to the free throw line, landing five of six shots attempted.

Wolf landed one of two free throws, plus a rebound for two more points.

Rugby finished the game with 25 points scored in the fourth quarter. The Cardinals scored 10.

The Panthers’ schedule would take the team to Nedrose and Velva Jan. 23 and 26. Results from those away games will appear in the Feb. 4 Tribune.

The Lady Panthers will join the Panthers’ boys team for a double header against Shiloh Christian High School today in Rugby High School’s Charlie Hanneman Gym.

The afternoon begins with C-squad and JV games at 1 p.m., followed by the girls’ game at 3:30 p.m., and the boys’ game at 5 p.m.