Screaming Eagles beat Davenport in nailbiter

DAVENPORT – On Tuesday, Feb. 4, the Gorillas (16-2) hosted Reardan (17-2) in a crucial NE2B girls basketball game to determine seedings in the District 6 2B Girls Basketball Tournament. The Screaming Eagles eked out a 51-49 win to secure the No.1 seeding. Rylynn Green scored 12 of her 18 points in the fourth quarter to seal the win for Reardan. Prior to the game, Gorillas' senior Alyssa Kruger was recognized for her contributions to the team.

As in their Dec. 13 matchup that Reardan won 43-40, this game had the earmarks for another contest that would go down to the wire. Reardan jumped to a 15-11 lead in the first quarter. In the second quarter Davenport's Clare Lathrop established herself under the basket to collect rebounds while Glenna Soliday struck from outside, scoring 13 points. The Gorillas stormed back in the quarter to take a 26-22 lead.

Reardan's Chasyn Waters scored six third quarter points and Green scored four points to give the Screaming Eagles a 37-34 lead going into the last frame.

Davenport's Addie Schneider, Samantha Stiles and Charlotte Soliday all fouled out in the fourth quarter, and watched as Glenna Soliday did everything she could to keep her team in the game. She tied the game at 47 and again at 49, in the waning minutes. She scored 11 points in the quarter, but Green proved to be the difference maker for the Screaming Eagles. She made 10 of 13 free throws in the game and hit a mid-range jumper to seal Reardan's 51-49 win.

Beside Green's18 points, she also had eight rebounds and a blocked shot. Chasyn Waters scored 11 points to go along with six rebounds and two steals. Tenice Waters had eight points, seven rebounds and two steals. Mackenzie Bjornberg, Olivia Wicks and Lillie Whitman each scored four points.

Glenna Soliday earned the game's scoring honors with 25 points. Lathrop recorded a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds. Schneider scored six points and Charlotte Soliday scored four. Samantha Stiles rounded out the scoring with three points.

"This was the most disciplined our offense has been all year," Coach Bob Swannack said. "Rylynn Green played her tail off and shot the ball well from the free throw line. We shared the ball well tonight. It is so key to our success. We were lucky to win tonight and need to improve our defense before District."

With the win, the Screaming Eagles wrapped up the regular season with an overall record of 18-2 and an NE2B record of 13-1. With one league game remaining, Davenport's record is 16-3 and 10-3. Both teams play in the District 6 2B Girls Basketball Tournament at West Valley High School. At press time, Davenport's seeding and game time are unknown. No. 1 seed Reardan plays Thursday Feb. 13 at 5:00 p.m.