The Lady Tornadoes kicked off the 2024 season with a victory against the Burlington Wildcats.
On Friday, Jan. 12, Eureka hosted the Winter Royalty matchup. After 32 minutes of competitive play, the Tornadoes secured the win, 44-32. First in the books for Eureka was freshman Elle Coulter who knocked down a three pointer just one minute into the game. Burlington was quick to respond with a triple of their own, tying up the score, 3-3. Sophomore Brenna Rucker earned her second assist of the game, driving in and engaging three Wildcat defenders, leaving junior Laynie Winfrey wide open at the top of the key to finish yet another trey for the Tornadoes. Eureka was successful not only offensively, but defensively as well. Sophomore Britta Mongeau managed a steal, kicking the ball to Rucker who found Coulter on the wing for a three point bucket, her second in the first quarter alone. A Tornado fastbreak put an additional two points on the board for Eureka, forcing a Wildcat timeout. Burlington ended the run for the Tornadoes with a couple made free throws, but Winfrey was the last to score in the first quarter, extending the lead 13-5.
The Wildcats were the first to strike in the second quarter with a made free throw just before Winfrey passed the ball into Coulter at the basket for a quick two points. A foul from Coulter gave the Wildcats two points off of free throws. This is the last Burlington would score before halftime as Eureka’s defensive presence forced numerous deflections and turnovers for the Wildcats. Winfrey started a run for the Tornadoes with back to back two-point field goals, rolling off of her screen and finding the opening on the baseline for a jump shot, and spinning off of the defense in the paint after a quick pass inside from Rucker. Following a missed shot, junior Kimber Ptacek obtained the offensive rebound, finding Mongeau behind the arc for a three. Rucker contributed another four points for Eureka, wrapping up the first half of play with a 26-8 lead.
Burlington opened up the third quarter with a three pointer. Eureka was quick to respond, with a steal by Ptacek, who passed the ball up the court to Rucker for two points at the basket. The two teams battled back and forth for the remainder of the third. The Wildcats managed to outscore the Tornadoes 7-11 in the third, shrinking the lead 33-19.
Eureka and Burlington traded baskets throughout the final quarter of play. While the Wildcats had a strong second half offensively, it wasn’t enough to outdo the Tornadoes. The final buzzer sounded a 44-32 victory, the first for Eureka in the 2024 season.
Up Next
The Lady Tornadoes will compete in the Hillsboro Classic Tournament this week, starting off with Hesston on Tuesday, Jan. 16 and TBA on January 19 and 20. Eureka will then host the Caney Bullpups on Tuesday, January 23.
Scoring and Stat Leaders POINTS: Winfrey 15, Coulter 13, Rucker 10 and Mongeau 6. REBOUNDS: Winfrey and Rucker 6, Lydia Mason 5, and Ptacek, Alaina Westerman and Mongeau 3. ASSISTS: Rucker 6, Winfrey 5 and Ptacek 3. STEALS: Winfrey 3 and Ptacek, Rucker and Mongeau 2.
