Lady Bulldogs keep improving; out-rebounding opponents 117-73

While the win-loss record may not reflect the work put in by the Lady Bulldogs thus far this season, good things are happening on the court and the team continues to improve each game.

Over the last week, Haxtun hit the road Tuesday and Friday for contests against Perkins County, Neb. and Caliche.

Tuesday night action took Haxtun to Grant, Neb. for a match up with the Perkins County Lady Plainswomen. The Lady Bulldogs put up seven points in the first and second quarters for a combined 14 at the half. The second half played out much closer for Haxtun as the Lady Bulldogs nearly matched the home team point-for-point in the second and third quarters. Despite a late-game run, Haxtun suffered a 12-point loss on the road Tuesday, 48-36.

Junior Cassidy Goddard racked up 20 points in Nebraska on Tuesday night, the team high. She pulled a double-double in the contest while also nabbing 12 rebounds under the basket. Junior Samantha Seger, sophomore Bobbi Starkebaum, sophomore Kelsie Hadeen and senior Cassidy Goodwin each added four points on the night. Goodwin and Hadeen each brought down six rebounds followed by Emily Anderson and Starkebaum, both with five.

Four nights later, Haxtun hit the road again, this time west to face the Lady Buffs in Caliche. Despite a 21-point deficit at halftime, the Lady Bulldogs battled, both offensively and defensively, to come back in the second half falling short by just nine at the final buzzer.

Starkebaum had a standout night under the basket, leading the team with 21 points. She also pulled down 12 rebounds. Goddard put eight points on the board and brought down 11 rebounds under the net. Goodwin chipped in six points and eight rebounds.

"Our girls have so much grit and determination. After an extremely slow start we went into halftime down 30-9," said Alicia Schram, Lady Bulldogs Head Coach. "The girls could've easily given up at that point, but they rallied together and put 28 points on the board in the second half to come within nine points at the final buzzer. I couldn't be more proud of them for sticking with it and finding a way to do better. We just need to ignite the fight earlier on in the game to be able to get those wins."

This week the Lady Bulldogs are set to compete in the Northeastern Junior College Holiday Tournament. Play kicks off on Thursday when Haxtun, #7 ranked team in the bracket, faces off with Wiggins at 9 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 15.

"We have been working hard on gaining and maintaining control of the ball. We need to limit our turnovers to be successful. We have also put a huge focus on shooting. We will continue to get better," said Schram. "Rebounding is huge for us! We have out-rebounded our opponents 117 to 73. That's an average of almost 15 rebounds per game. We continue to set the bar higher on rebounds each week. The girls have been working so hard and it will all come together. We have been preaching patience and grace. If we have those added in with determination, grit and hard work - the rest will come."