In the first home game of the 2023-2024 season, the Lady Tornadoes faced the Flinthills Mustangs. Eureka brought in the holiday season with 2 consecutive wins from both the varsity and JV team. Averaging 14 points each quarter, the Tornadoes claimed the victory, 56-27.
The Lady Tornadoes were quick to assert their dominance within the first 45 seconds of the game. Laynie Winfrey got a defensive rebound finding Britta Mongeau on the fastbreak for a quick two-pointer. Another two points were put on the board by Brenna Rucker after making both of her free throws. Eureka’s defense prevented the Mustangs from putting any points on the board until about 3 minutes into the first quarter of the game when Flinthills scored a three point basket. The Tornadoes were quick to respond with Mongeau draining a shot from behind the arc, increasing the lead 7-3. Lydia Mason added 6 points of her own to the board, scoring off of a free throw, a two-point field goal, and a three pointer in the quarter alone. Eureka held Flinthills to 9 points, while finishing with 15. Their defense frazzled the Mustangs, causing almost half a dozen turnovers, numerous deflections, and jump balls. The first quarter was wrapped up with the Tornadoes leading by 6.
Eureka kicked off the second quarter with the same momentum from the first. After getting a steal, Alaina Westerman passed the ball to Rucker, who was able to find an open Winfrey at the top of the key. The three-point basket started an 11-0 run by the Tornadoes. A defensive foul on Eureka put the Mustangs on the free throw line. Making one of two, Flinthills finally managed to get one point on the board, bringing the score to 26-10. The Tornadoes’ high-pressure defense allowed the Mustangs one more point off of a free throw, while scoring a total of 13 points in the second quarter. The halftime buzzer sounded a 2811 Eureka lead.
The Mustangs were the first to strike in the second half, sinking two free throws after a defensive foul from the Tornadoes. Rucker blocked a pass, gaining the steal and making a break for the basket. Just before reaching the goal, she found Mongeau on a hook pass, earning two points. The Tornadoes struggled to find the bottom of the net for the next few minutes, but a twopoint field goal by Rucker got the Tornadoes going offensively. The Mustangs scored a two-point field goal, but Rucker was quick to respond, sinking two free throws. A steal and kick by Elle Coulter brought the ball back to Rucker, who drove into the lane, spinning off of the defense and draining the basket, increasing Eureka’s lead to 36-17. The Tornadoes’ press gave the Mustangs a fit. Mongeau got a steal, scooping the ball to Winfrey at the basket for two. Flinthills obtained 10 points to Eureka’s 15, giving the Tornadoes a 43-21 lead through three quarters of play.
The Tornadoes’ momentum continued into the final quarter of the game. With a steal and quick layup from Rucker, Eureka was able to assert their will, scoring the first two points. Winfrey got a field goal of her own and an additional steal and layup by Rucker were added to the 6-0 run by the Tornadoes. The Mustangs managed to obtain two points off of a bank shot just outside the lane, but Mongeau matched it with a drive and finish. Mason, with an assist from Mongeau, drained a three-point shot in the corner. The Tornadoes earned another two points from a jump shot by Coulter. This was the last Eureka would score during the final quarter of play, sealing their 56-27 victory.
The win contributed to Eureka’s 3-2 record. On December 19, the Lady Tornadoes were scheduled to travel to Wichita to compete against the Wichita Independent Panthers. The game on Tuesday of this week rounded out Eureka’s 2023 year.
Scoring and Stat Leaders: POINTS: Winfrey and Rucker 15, Mongeau 11, Lydia Mason 9, Elle Coulter 4, and Kimber Ptacek 2. REBOUNDS: Winfrey 12, Rucker 7, Mason 5, Madelyn Miller and Westerman 3, Mongeau 2, and Ptacek and Coulter 1.
ASSISTS: Rucker 4, Winfrey 3, and Mongeau 2.
STEALS: Rucker 7.
JV vs. Flinthills JV
In a thrilling two quarters, Eureka’s Junior Varsity team claimed the victory over the Flinthills Mustangs. The Tornadoes earned their first four points from inside the paint. With a look inside to Westerman, as well as an assist from Ptacek into Hannah Perrier, the Tornadoes threw the first punches with a 4-0 lead. The remainder of the game consisted of numerous steals and fastbreaks by the Tornadoes. Offensively, Eureka scored a total of 21 points, finishing the game with two made free throws by Mason. Defensively, the Tornadoes held the Mustangs to 13 points, taking the victory.
Up Next
The Lady Tornadoes will resume action on Friday, January 5, 2024, at Fredonia. Game time is slated to begin at 6 p.m.
