The Eureka Lady Tornadoes opened the 202425 season in spectacular fashion Friday night, showcasing their talent and determination on their brand-new home court. Facing the Sedan Blue Devils, the Lady Tornadoes delivered a commanding 74-19 victory that not only set the tone for the season but also marked a significant milestone: head coach Shelly Hoyt’s 600th career win.
Coming off a successful season that included a trip to the state tournament, the Lady Tornadoes had high expectations—and they exceeded them within just 32 minutes of play.
Sedan won the opening tip and attempted an early drive to the basket, but senior Brenna Rucker had other plans. A swift block from Rucker set the tone for the night as she secured the ball and launched it to Kimber Ptacek, who completed a fast-break layup and converted the and-1 free throw. Moments later, Elle Coulter picked off a pass and dished it to Britta Mongeau for another quick layup, putting Eureka firmly in control. While Sedan managed an early basket, the Tornadoes exploded offensively, with Laynie Winfrey, Lydia Mason, Rucker and Coulter extending the lead to 26-7 by the end of the first quarter.
The final half of the game was much like the first. The Lady Tornadoes fired from all cylinders, continuing to bring the pressure with full force. Rucker secured her first double-double of the season with 32 points and 11 rebounds for the game. Sedan was able to shorten the gap ever so slightly in the third and fourth quarters after Eureka cleared the bench. Freshmen Sydney Lindamood and Jersey Cox were able to put some points on the board before the final buzzer sounded a Tornado victory, 74-19.
Stats and Scoring Leaders: POINTS: Rucker 32, Winfrey 12, Mongeau 8, Coulter 7, Ptacek 5, Hannah Perrier 4 and Mason, Lindamood and Cox 2. REBOUNDS: Rucker 11, Ptacek 7, Perrier and Coulter 4. ASSISTS: Ptacek, Mongeau, and Coulter 3.
STEALS: Rucker and Winfrey 4 and Ptacek 3.
Up Next:
Eureka will compete in the Winter Wildcat Classic in Yates Center this week, starting off with Bluestem on Monday, Dec. 9; 6:30 p.m. on Thursday vs. TBD and Friday at 6:30 p.m. vs. TBD. The Tornadoes will then travel to Humboldt and compete against the Cubs on Monday, Dec. 16.
Pictured above from left to right are: front row, Arabella Shepherd, Coulter, Alaina Westerman, Rucker, Cox and manager Molly Dehlinger; back row: managers Mia Ptacek and Rachel Stapleford, Lindamood, Perrier, Mason, Mongeau, K. Ptacek, Coach Brendan Ptacek, Coach Hoyt, Winfrey and Karsyn Osborne.
