The Boone Central Lady Cardinals, ranked 4th in Class C1 (Omaha World-Herald) bounced back from their initial loss of 2009-10 to defeat Columbus Scotus and Ord last week, improving their season record to 12-1.
Boone Central now enters a key stretch of the campaign, with conference tests this Thursday and Friday vs. Norfolk Catholic and Battle Creek, followed by the annual Mid-State Conference Tournament Feb. 1-6 in Norfolk.
“We’re pleased to be 12-1 and to earn the #1 seed in the Mid-State Tournament,” acknowledged Lady Card Coach Mike Kennedy. “We will have two tough conference games this week and we look forward to the challenge.”
Looking to get back on track after a loss at West Point Central Catholic Jan. 16, Boone Central hosted always-tough Scotus Thursday in Albion.
Both programs are known for tenacious, hard-nosed defense, but it was the host Cardinals who were able to sustain that defensive presence throughout a 50-39 victory.
“I was very pleased with our defensive intensity and our rebounding in this game,” praised Kennedy. “We held Scotus to five offensive rebounds and that was a key in this victory.
“The mark of a good team is how much it improves after a loss and we got much better at getting the ball inside to our post players and letting them make decisions with the ball.”
Bobbi Beckwith led the way for BC with 16 points and four assists. Cara Struebing scored 12 points and pulled down seven rebounds.
Boone Central returned to the road Friday, notching win number 12 at Ord, 50-43.
Boone Central used strong first and third periods to open fairly comfortable leads, then held off a Chanticleer rally attempt in the final stanza.
“We played well at times, but were never able to put Ord away and put the game totally out of reach,” Kennedy commented. “We had a 15-point lead at one point of the third quarter, but gave Ord too many free throw opportunities, plus two three-point shots, late in the game that closed the gap.
“It was the type of game that pointed out some areas we have to improve on.”
Beckwith and Jenna Lehmann topped balanced Card scoring with 10 points apiece. Lehmann was a big presence inside with six rebounds and seven blocked shots.
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