Ranger girls tackle Tigers

The Hill City Rangers girls basketball team travelled to New Underwood Thursday night to take on the Tigers in a hard-fought road matchup. 

From the opening tip, the game was more fight than finesse.

In what could only be described as a scrappy and extremely physical game, the Rangers and Tigers went head to head in what resembled more of a WWE wrestling match rather than a basketball game at times, with no lack of elbows thrown or bodies on the floor. 

The first half began painfully slow with the two teams locked within a possession or two throughout the half, barely reaching double digits (12-12) at the end of the first and well into the second. 

Although scoring was scarce, the whistles were not, with no shortage of fouls or turnovers and so many travel calls you’d have thought someone was going on vacation. 

“It didn’t seem like we could get an offensive groove the whole first half of the game. We got into foul trouble with a few girls right away, and I felt that really kept New Underwood in the game,” said head coach Anna Eckert. “We have a group of really quick athletes this year and sometimes our bodies tend to move faster than our minds, causing some great energy, but also both unnecessary fouls and turnovers.”

The Rangers regrouped over halftime and came out in the second half with a more controlled defensive energy that caused several Tiger turnovers. The Rangers also hit their offensive stride, going on an 11-point run to open the gap. 

“I’m proud of how the girls played defense in the third quarter and beginning of the fourth, causing numerous turnovers,” said Eckert. 

The Rangers took control late in the third and continued the momentum throughout the fourth, closing out a 45-37 victory.

“We have to continue to move forward and grow with every game, knowing there will be some setbacks, but as long as we move forward and learn, we can get some pretty important wins throughout the season,” Eckert said. 

The offensive charge was led by Daril Frandsen and Macie Ham, each with 11 points. Other top contributors were Andee Frandsen, Demi Schrier, Lillie Ham, Kinsey Dillavou and Alaina Dean.

The Rangers hit the road again Tuesday to take on 1-1 St. Thomas More.