Hot and cold. Back and forth. Up and down.
That could describe Boone Central/Newman Grove’s game against Mid-State Conference rival Norfolk Catholic in the C1-8 Sub-District Feb. 18 at Norfolk High School and, in fact, the entire trio of contests between the teams this season.
Norfolk Catholic used a 24-10 scoring advantage in the fourth quarter last Tuesday to erase a 10-point BC/NG lead and end the Cardinals’ campaign with a 65-57 decision.
It was Boone Central/Newman Grove’s third loss to the Lady Knights during a 15-9 season.
Norfolk Catholic handed the Cardinals a 21-point shellacking Jan. 30, but just one week later BC/NG battled the Knights on even terms before falling 41-37 in a Mid-State Conference Tournament contest.
After that game, BC/NG Coach Mike Kennedy said he relished a third chance to face Catholic in sub-district play. His team certainly came out appearing it was up to the challenge.
BC/NG burst to a quick 6-0 lead, then after the score tightened, built a 10-point advantage during a strong third period. Norfolk Catholic battled back, however, and once the momentum swung in the fourth quarter, the Cardinals could not stem the tide.
The effort pleased Kennedy, even if the final outcome was disappointing.
“This was a heartbreaking loss for our team,” he commented. “We put everything we had on the court and left it there.
“The team played with courage and intensity. They played with the mindset of going out on the court to win a basketball game, not just hoping not to lose it.
“It was an intense game between two rivals and both teams played good basketball,” Kennedy praised. “I appreciate the effort by my team and am proud of how we represented our program.
“I will miss the seniors from this season – they have been an awesome group to work with.”
Further details in Print & Online editions of Albion News
