Reardan suffers first league loss

COLBERT – Macey Shamblin scored 19 points to lead Northwest Christian to a 62-41 win over Reardan in an NE2B girls' basketball matchup Friday, Jan. 24. The Crusaders' win avenged a 61-53 loss to Reardan in December. It was the Screaming Eagles' first loss in league play, leaving them with a record of 9-1.

Reardan played without standout defender Mackenzie Bjornberg who was recovering from an injury. Her absence left a void which NWC took advantage of. Shamblin and teammate Julianna Pope combined for 36 points, many on rebounds and put backs from under the basket.

The Crusaders led the game 29-19 at halftime, and after three quarters, the Screaming Eagles stayed within striking distance when they trailed by 11 points. In the last frame, NWC hit three 3-point shots and out scored Reardan 19-9 to run away with the 62-41 win.

Freshman Chasyn Waters was a bright spot for the Screaming Eagles. She recorded a double-double with 13 points and 16 rebounds. Tenice Waters scored 10 points, Raylynn Green scored nine points, Olivia Wicks scored five points and Emersen Sprecher scored four points.

"We were less than average on defense," Reardan head coach Bob Swannack said. "This game may have been just what we needed. Hopefully, we all learned something from it."

The loss left the Screaming Eagles with an overall record of 14-2 and 9-1 in conference play. The win improved NWC to 12-3 and 8-2.

Reardan's last home game, and Senior Night is Saturday, Feb. 1 against St. George's at 6:00 p.m.