The Rush City girls basketball team hosted Mora on Saturday night.
The Tigers and Mustangs were battling for the first section wins on the season. It was a low scoring physical game and both teams matched it. Mora would grab a lead and hang onto said lead for a chunk of the 1st half. But around the 5 minute mark the Tigers were able to turn the tide. They were able to control the boards and eliminate turnovers. They would go into halftime leading 22-20. The 2nd half played out much like the first, Mora grabbed a lead early and hung onto the lead till about the 4 minute mark. That's again when Rush City forced the game in their direction. Playing sound defense creating turnovers and forcing Mora into fouls. The Tigers hit some key free throws and pulled away with the win 48-42.
Scoring
Rush City
Autumn Stream 17
Veronica Hemming 11
Kayla Diedrich 7
Bella Folkema 6
Tayla Lenzen 4
DaLyla Oberg 2
Katelyn Hemming 1
On Monday the Tigers hosted another section opponent, St. Cloud Cathedral.
The Tigers and Crusaders traded the lead multiple timed in the 1st half. Neither team was able to pull away. Rush City certainly felt better about their performance in the first half, especially with their ability to grab rebounds and give the ball back to the offense. Despite playing well the trailed at half 29-28.
Coming out of the half these teams definitely saved the best for the last half. Scoring certainly wasn't at a premium, but the defenses still came up big a times. Once again the lead changed hands quite often but towards the midway point of the half the Crusaders started to slowly pull away. St Cloud Cathedral started to control the board and took advantage of their second chance opportunities. Soon the Tigers faced a double digit deficit with under 4 minutes to go. They never hung their in fact they seemed to play even harder. They were able to cut the Crusader lead in half and as the clock continued to roll things were looking up. But the Tigers were in foul trouble which sent St Cloud Cathedral to line, where they couldn't miss. Unfortunately, the free throws late put the game out of reach. This still didn't collapse Rush City's comeback hope. As time expired Bella Folkema hit a college 3 to make the final 67-64 in favor of the Crusaders.
The Tigers sit at 2-6 and will face another section foe on Thursday as they travel to Milaca. This team certainly has the potential to make alot of noise in the postseason.
Scoring
Rush City
Tayla Lenzen and Veronica Hemming 14
Bella Folkema 12
Kayla Diedrich 8
Autumn Stream 6
Grace Folkema and DaLyla Oberg 4
Katelyn Hemming 2
