Stingy defense fuels win

REARDAN - After coming out of the blocks slow this season, the Screaming Eagles girls basketball team continues to improve as it notched its second win of the week. They defeated Kettle Falls 52-22 in NE2B conference play on Thursday, Dec. 22.

The teams matched buckets in the first quarter. After being tied at 10 points each, Reardan outscored Kettle Falls 15-2 in the second quarter to take a 25-12 lead at halftime.

Liz Bell scored nine first half points, and Liberty Anderson and Tenice Waters each tossed in seven.

Jaylee Abrahamson set the tone defensively for Reardan. She was more than just a mere annoyance to Kettle Falls as her pressing defense and quick hands led to many Bulldog turnovers and easy buckets for her mates.

In the second half, Reardan outscored Kettle Falls 27-10 as Emma Flaa asserted herself on both ends of the court. She scored eight points and hauled down nine rebounds. In addition, she had two steals and one blocked shot.

Anderson and Bell finished the game with 13 points apiece, along with numerous rebounds and steals. Waters finished with nine points and Flaa eight.

LaVay Shurrum led Kettle Falls in scoring with 14 points.

"We are starting to share the ball better," Reardan head coach Bob Swannack said. "We have played hard all year but are starting to play with more passion. We are also starting to hit shots we weren't able to hit the first couple of weeks."

Swannack reserved praise for Abrahamson, who defensively was "a nightmare," and for Anderson who hit some "nice uncontested shots."

"One of the differences in this game was how Jaylee Abrahamson stopped the ball defensively," Anderson said. "Our rebounding is improving too because coach Swannack has been stressing that we need to box out better."

Reardan improved its league record to 2-2. Kettle Falls dropped to 1-4.