Screaming Eagles defeat Broncos in first game

REARDAN – The Screaming Eagles' girls basketball team opened their season with an impressive 48-35 win over Lind-Ritzville-Sprague on Tuesday, Dec. 3. Sophomore Tenice Waters scored 15 points to lead her team.

Reardan jumped to a 9-0 lead early in the game behind Rylynn Green's 3-point shot and buckets from Tenice Waters, Olivia Wicks, Mackenzie Bjornberg and Chasyn Waters. LRS closed the gap with three straight baskets, but after one quarter, Reardan led 14-9.

In the first half, Green hit three shots from outside the paint while Tenice Waters drove the lane and scored six points near the basket. The Screaming Eagles took a 23-14 lead into the locker room at halftime.

Tenice Waters scored nine points in the second half as the Screaming Eagles pulled away and cruised to their 48-35 win.

Defensively, Bjornberg was the team's major stalwart. She pulled down several rebounds and her hustle and pressure caused several Broncos' turnovers. Emersen Sprecher also came up big on the defensive end of the court with a blocked shot and several rebounds.

Chasyn Waters and Green both scored 10 points for Reardan, followed by Sprecher, who had six. Wicks ended the game with three points and Bjornberg and Raegan Soliday both scored two.

Zoe Galbreath led the Broncos in scoring with 21 points.

"We came out strong and played pretty well," Bjornberg said. "We had our ups and downs but that's to be expected in the first game. We have a lot of work to do in order to get better, but I think we can go pretty far this season. I was quite pleased with how we communicated and played as one unit."

Reardan head coach Bob Swannack was pleased with his team's effort.

"This game was a measuring stick," he said. "It shows us what we need to focus on. I was pleased with how Rylynn Green played. She was a 'steady Eddie' and did all the little things that I like to see, even when she's gassed. Emersen Sprecher played well. It is nice to have her back. We played hard tonight, and I hope to get more girls involved as the season moves forward."

Reardan's next game is Friday, Dec. 6 at Liberty High School followed by a game at Brewster High School on Tuesday, Dec. 10.