The AGWSR and South Hardin basketball teams split an NICL doubleheader on Tuesday, as aired on 99 The Wave. The South Hardin girls won 55-18 and the AGWSR held on 44-40 in the boys game.
In the girls game, South Hardin took control of the game in the second quarter by outscoring the Cougars 17-4 to take a 36-8 lead at the half. The Tigers set the running clock rule in motion in the third quarter, extending their lead to 51-13 heading to the fourth. Regardless of the score, the Cougars continued to battle, outscoring the Tigers 7-4 in a quick final quarter. Ayda Eller and Adeline Cook led the Tigers with 10 points apiece. Eller says the matchup was another opportunity to improve the team’s cohesion.
“It was a good win. I think we had high expectations, knowing that we had beat them before,” says Eller. “I think it was more of a game to play as a team and getting to know how to play with each other.”
Brylea Metzgar had seven points to lead the Cougars.
In the boys game, AGWSR led 10-8 after a back-and-forth opening quarter. The Cougars, with inside and outside scoring and strong rebounding, increased their lead to 24-14 at the break. The Cougars carried that momentum into the third quarter to lead by as many as 21 points and led 37-24 heading to the fourth. In the fourth, the Tigers rallied back to within a score at 40-37 with a minute left, but the Cougars held off any further rally to secure the road win.
Bo Starr led the Cougars with 17 points and Blake Willems delivered 15 points including four three’s. Starr says the team left it all out there in an exciting win.
“Last night took a lot out of us to be honest. We kind of came in here with what we had left in the tank. We were running on vapors when we went in here,” says Starr. “We didn’t let that affect us. We played our butts off, all five of us, plus some of the subs that came in during the quarters. It was a very exciting win tonight.”
Clayton Cable had 13 points to lead the Tigers.
Both teams will remain in NICL action on Friday. AGWSR will host East Marshall. South Hardin will travel to Grundy Center on 99 The Wave.
