The Eureka Lady Tornadoes had one more stop to make before heading into Christmas break. On Friday, Dec. 20, the Tornadoes made the short trip to Rosalia to compete against the Mustangs of Flinthills. Eureka left with a win, 58-21, and wrapped up their 2024 season with an undefeated record.
A pair of free throws by the Mustangs opened up the scoring for the game. Eureka was quick to respond. Britta Mongeau kicked the ball inside to Laynie Winfrey for a quick bucket. Shortly after, Aliana Westerman secured the defensive rebound and passed the ball out to Kimber Ptacek.
Ptacek was able to find Brenna Rucker flying down the court for a fastbreak layup. Throughout the first quarter, the Tornadoes thrived in transition, setting the tone for the remainder of the game. Three pointers from Elle Coulter and Winfrey and a couple two pointers from Winfrey and Ptacek completed the scoring for the first quarter. Flinthills managed another three points, shortening the Tornadoes’ lead to 14-5.
To kick off the second quarter, Rucker managed a quick shot at the basket and knocked down the and-1 free throw. After the two teams traded baskets back and forth for some time, Rucker skipped the ball to Mongeau, who was waiting to drain the trey at the top of the key. By the end of the first half, the Tornadoes had extended their lead, 38-13.
The final half of play was much like the first. The Tornadoes created chaos for the Mustangs’ offense– forcing turnovers and preventing shots–allowing them to extend their lead further. In the third and fourth quarters, Eureka outscored Flinthills 20-8. Westerman picked off a pass and sent the ball to Rucker. After taking the ball from coast to coast and spinning off of her defender, Rucker finished the basket. Scoring slowed in the fourth quarter, but Sydney Lindamood wrapped it up beautifully with a three-point basket, assisted by Arabella Shepherd.
The buzzer sounded a Tornado victory, 58-21.
The game against Flinthills concludes the 2024 season for the Tornadoes. Eureka will walk into the new year with an undefeated record of 6-0. On Friday, Jan. 10, the Lady Tornadoes will travel to Fredonia and face off against the Yellowjackets.
Stats and Scoring Leaders: POINTS: Rucker 19, Winfrey 11, Coulter 7, Ptacek and Mongeau 5, Lydia Mason 4, Lindamood 3, and Westerman and Hannah Perrier 2. REBOUNDS: Rucker 6, Ptacek 5, Winfrey and Mason 4 and Perrier, Coulter and Lindamood 2. ASSISTS: Rucker 7, and Winfrey, Mongeau, and Shepherd 2.
STEALS: Rucker 3 and Ptacek, Westerman and Mason 2.
