BELMONT — The Warriors and Redbirds faced tough opponents in Belmont and Galena in the Belmont Holiday Jamboree on Dec. 27-28.
“It was a good tournament for us to be in because we got exposed to two really great teams,” Black Hawk head coach Cora Lierman said. “We have a very difficult nonconference schedule, but I wouldn’t want it any other way. These types of games are what get us ready to play conference teams and are what develop our tough mindset. Our motto this year is Find A Way, and these girls are really working hard to do that.”
Black Hawk opened with a 44-33 loss to host Braves. The Warriors had just six chances at the free-throw line compared to Belmont’s 28, as Black Hawk committed 22 fouls. On the boards, though, the Warriors outrebounded the Braves 36-29.
“We knew going in to this that Belmont was going to be a great nonconference opponent,” Lierman said. “Kaleen [McGettigan] runs a great program over there. We were focused on trying to slow down their shooters and break their ball pressure. I was really impressed with the way we were able to play with them and it made me excited to get back into conference play.”
Raylin Peterson was the only Warrior in double figures with 11 points, despite fouling out of the game. Kendra Haldiman also fouled out, finishing with eight points. Jaliyah Collins led the team on the boards with 14 rebounds. She also scored eight points.
Belmont was led by Rylee Rogers with 10 points. The next highest scorers were Kaci Riechers and Reese Runde with seven points each. Both Morgan Freeman and Tori Nodolf had a team-leading seven rebounds, followed by Lainey Riechers with five. The Braves were 13-for-28 at the free-throw line for 46%.
Peterson fouled out for her second straight game, as Black Hawk fell to Galena 59-39 in day two of the Jamboree.
“Galena is an excellent, very skilled team,” Lierman said. “They’re coming off an amazing season last year and returning a lot. We had a really tough time with their shooters and their speed.”
Haldiman and Hailey Wellnitz tallied nine points each to lead the Warriors. Maddy Lange chipped in seven points, too. Collins led yet again on the boards with six rebounds.
Darlington also lost to Galena and Belmont by scores of 46-40 and 73-47, respectively.