L-S girls open season with road loss to 2A No. 1 EBF

EDDYVILLE — Class 2A No. 1 Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont used a fast start to down the Lynnville-Sully girls basketball team on Friday.

The Hawks couldn’t overcome a tough shooting night and 20 turnovers during a 66-42 road loss in the season opener for both teams.

“I have to give the girls credit. They fought hard all night,” Lynnville-Sully head girls basketball coach Jerry Hulsing said. “It was a learning experience for our young players to understand the speed and physicality of the varsity game.”

EBF led 19-5 after one and coasted from there in the non-conference contest. Both teams scored 11 points in the second quarter, but the Rockets outscored the Hawks 36-26 in the final two frames.

Ava Brummel led the Hawks with eight points, 16 rebounds and two blocks.

Kate Harthoorn finished with 11 points, two rebounds and three assists and Breah Lowry added 10 points, two rebounds and two assists in her varsity debut.

Brooke Harthoorn also made her varsity debut and registered five points, three rebounds and two blocks. Brilynn Tice produced five points and three boards and Isabelle Vos collected three points and four rebounds in her prep debut.

The Hawks (0-1) shot 35 percent from the floor, made 3-of-14 from 3-point range and connected on 9-of-13 from the free-throw line.

“We executed our offense and got the shots we wanted but didn’t finish, especially in the first half,” Hulsing said.

Lynnville-Sully was missing projected starters Tatum Huyser and Alaina Roberts in the contest.

Molly Shafer led the top-ranked Rockets (1-0) with 22 points, five rebounds and four assists. Her twin Kate Shafer added 11 points.

Ava Eastlick tallied 19 points, three boards, four assists and three steals and Kaylee Helm contributed 12 points, five rebounds, four assists and three steals.

EBF shot 53.5 percent from the floor, connected on 5-of-12 from 3 and made 15-of-23 from the foul line. The Rockets only turned the ball over 10 times.

“It doesn’t help when you play a team with many experienced players who are very good,” Hulsing said. “Our goal is to learn from this game and keep getting better.”