Nailbiter and blowout – the Boone Central Cardinals were on both ends of the spectrum last week while notching their 11th and 12th wins of the 2008-09 seaosn.
Boone Central, 12-1 and now ranked 3rd in Class C1 by the Omaha World-Herald, ran its current winning streak to seven games by nipping Scotus 46-45 at Columbus Thursday, then blasting Ord 65-40 in Albion Friday.
The Lady Cardinal basketball program will host Mid-State Conference rival Norfolk Catholic Thursday on Senior Parents’ Night at the gymnasium in Albion.
Cards 46, Scotus 45
All signs pointed toward a hard-fought, low-scoring battle for Boone Central’s match-up Thursday with C1 Top 10 Columbus Scotus (9-3), a perennial girls power known for its defensive prowess and deliberate offensive style.
That certainly proved to be the case in a game the Cardinals hung on to win after dominating in large part through the second and third quarters.
“This was a super win for our team,” praised Cardinal Coach Mike Kennedy. “We played outstanding basketball for three quarters and did just enough things right in the fourth quarter to earn a hard-fought road victory.”
All in all, Kennedy was pleased with the effort against a formidable opponent.
“Getting a win here is huge – I’m sure there aren’t many teams that come in here and get one,” he said.
“Our post players defended extremely well in our man-to-man defense and were a key factor slowing them down in the second and third quarters.
“Erica always seems to play best against good competition and this game was no exception. The three-point shot was a big factor for us, as we made seven in this game.”
Carder led Boone Central with 11 points and Cara Struebing added 10. Brittany Luettel led rebounding with seven and Stephanie Paulson passed for six assists.
Cards 65, Ord 40
As tough as Thursday’s victory came, Boone Central had little trouble scoring win number twelve Friday in Albion.
Hitting on all cylinders from the opening tap, the Cardinals raced to a 24-7 lead, withstood a third-quarter hiccup and coasted to a 65-40 decision.
“We really played a very good first half of basketball. We defended and scored equally well,” Kennedy noted. “We seemed to lose our focus at halftime and were not sharp on defense in the third quarter. It was good to see us come back in the fourth period and give a better effort again.
“Emily Wells had a very good game coming off a sprained ankle in the first quarter of the Scotus game,” Kennedy praised. “She scored 13 points, shooting 6-of-8 from the field, and had five rebounds, four steals and two assists.”
Boone Central certainly came out ready to play. Following early baskets by Wells and Struebing, Beckwith, Julia Temme and Carder sank consecutive three-pointers as the Cards scored on their first five possessions and took a 13-2 lead. It was all Boone Central through the first half as the hosts built a 34-11 lead, Beckwith leading the way with 12 points.
Complete Details in Print Edition of Albion News.
