For the first time in recent memory, the Red Bud Lady Musketeers won the Sparta Girls Invitational Saturday with a 46-45 win over the host Lady Bulldogs.
“In the first half, we did not rebound very well and Sparta killed us on the glass with second chance opportunities,” said Red Bud coach Janelle Kuhn. “In the second half, the kids boxed out well, and played hard. One thing you can expect from this team is that they will play hard for 32 minutes a game and their hard work is just awesome. I am so proud of them.”
Sparta grabbed an early 8-2 lead after scoring on its first four possession. But the Lady Bulldogs would just go 1-of-10 shooting for the rest of the quarter and Red Bud fought back.
Junior guard Dani Gargac came off the bench and scored eight consecutive points for Red Bud, as the Lady Musketeers trailed only 14-13 at the end of the first quarter.
In a physical second quarter, Sparta increased its lead to 22-19 after outscoring Red Bud 8-6 in the period. The lead could have been more with the Lady Bulldogs making just 3-of-10 shots from the field and going just 1-of-8 from the free throw line.
The Lady Musketeers also went cold in the second quarter, going just 3-of-16 from the field.
Red Bud stole the momentum in the third quarter as Gargac got her team going again. This time the junior scored six points, while Tara Hubert added five to give their team a 32-30 lead going into the fourth.
“Dani was the difference maker tonight,” said Kuhn. “She came off the bench and made a lot of big shots. She was such a spark to this team.”
Sparta’s cold shooting continue din that third quarter going just 3-of-15. Jessica Robinson scored six of the team’s eight points in the third to keep her team close.
After a basket by Robinson tied the game early in the final period, Red Bud went on a 8-0 scoring run behind two baskets from freshman Ali Ringering and field goals from Hubert and Gargac for a 40-32 leads with 5:35 left in the game.
After a time-out by Sparta coach April York and six consecutive points from Robinson, Sparta was able to pull within two-points.
With just over 30 seconds remaining in the game, Jade Vaughn had a chance to tie the game at the free throw line, but the junior was only able to make one of the shots.
With Sparta being numerous fouls away from the penalty, Red Bud was able to run off the remaining time for the win before having to go to the free throw line.
“Our whole game plan was to stop Robinson and Vaughn,” said Kuhn. “I think we did a good job of that in the first half. Robinson is going to get her points, she is an excellent player. This win is a great confidence booster for us. We can take this hard-fought win and carry momentum over to some of our next games.”
Gargac finished with 16 points to lead a balanced Red Bud attack. Albert had eight, Ringering and Hubert each had seven and Abbey Brundage finished with six for Red Bud.
Robinson had a game-high 25 points for Sparta and Vaughn added seven in the loss.
The all-tournament team was made up of Tasha Doerr of Sesser-Valier, Beth Daniels of Trico, Ali Ringering of Red Bud, Jade Vaughn of Sparta, Jessica Robinson of Sparta and Tara Hubert of Red Bud.
Sesser-Valier 57, Trico 24
In Trico’s 57-24 loss to Sesser-Valier, the Lady Pioneers finished with more turnovers (32) than points (24).
Trico had trouble taking care of the ball right from the start, as seven turnovers and just 3-of-15 shooting allowed Sesser-Valier to grab a 15-7 lead.
In the second quarter, Trico turned the ball over 11 more times, as the team fell behind 36-11 at halftime after being outscored 21-6 in the quarter.
Just when it appeared things couldn’t get worse for the Lady Pioneers, Trico fails to score in the third period, being outscored 14-0 to fall behind 50-13.
Trico’s top scorer, Beth Daniels picked up two quick fouls in the third period and fouled out of the game with 6:03 left in the quarter.
The Lady Pioneers turned the ball over nine times in the third and went 0-of-8 from the field.
In mop up action, Trico outscored Sesser-Valier 11-7 in the fourth.
Daniels, Rebekah Dilday, Kourtney Bunselmeyer and Ashley Modglin all scored five points for Trico.
Sesser-Valier was led by Chelsea Miller’s 12 points.
With the loss, Trico finished tournament play with a record of 0-3.
Sparta 54, Trico 34
Sparta broke open a close game by outscoring Trico 32-20 in the second half for a 54-34 win Friday night to improve to 2-0 in tournament play.
The Lady Bulldogs led 12-6 at the end of the first quarter and held a 22-14 halftime advantage. Sparta would go on to outscore the Lady Pioneers 16-11 in the third and 16-9 in the fourth for the 20-point win.
Jessica Robinson tossed in a game-high 27 points to lead Sparta, while Jade Vaughn added 18.
Rebekah Dilday scored 12 points to lead Trico.
Red Bud 50, Sesser-Valier 32
Red Bud improved to 2-0 in tournament play with a convincing 50-32 victory over Sesser-Valier Friday night.
The Lady Musketeers outscored Sesser in every quarter including 17-7 in the third en route to the 18-point win.
Tara Hubert led the Red Bud attack with 20 points, while Tori Albert added 19.
Rachel Marlo scored nine points to lead Sesser.
Sparta 56, Sesser-Valier 39
Jessica Robinson and Jade Vaughn combined to score 49 points to lead Sparta past Sesser-Valier 56-39 Wednesday night.
The Lady Bulldogs led 13-5 in the first quarter and 25-12 at the break. Sparta would go on to outscore Sesser 31-27 in the second half for the win.
Robinson finished with 30 points, while Jade had 19.
Sesser-Valier was led by Megan Eskew’s 11 points.
Red Bud 57, Trico 30
Red Bud freshman Ali Ringering scored 18 points to lead the Lady Musketeers past Trico 57-30 in the opening game of the invitational last Wednesday night.
Red Bud jumped out to a 23-10 first quarter lead and held a 37-17 halftime advantage.
The Lady Musketeers cruised to the win in the second half outscoring Trico 8-7 in the third and 12-6 in the fourth.
Tara Hubert added 16 points in the win for Red Bud, while Tori Albert finished with nine points.
Beth Daniels scored 12 points and Kendra Williams added seven to lead the Lady Pioneers.