This past Friday on January 6th, the Tahoma Lady Bears traveled down the road to take on their number one rival: The Kentwood Conquerors. The girls showed up to the game determined and prepared, holding their heads high as they stepped onto the court. Starting off in the game for Tahoma was Cheyenne Haverfield (23), Kymber Morrison (4), Jordan Eberhardt (12), Savanna Haverfield (44), and Chardonae Miller (34).

As soon as the ball was tipped into Tahoma’s possession at the beginning of the first quarter, the game was fast paced and intense. The Bears worked a zone defense and passed along the perimeter, as well as kept their defense strong on the opposite side of the court. Eberhardt scored a 3 pointer towards the end of the first quarter, putting the Bears on the board with Kentwood in the lead, 10-3. Savanna Haverfield drew shortly after and took 2 points for Tahoma, making the score 12-5.

Intensity grew as the game progressed into the second quarter with Eberhardt scoring a jump shot under tough defense, followed up with a fast layup by Miller. Miller then stole the ball on an inbounds play Kentwood, and passed it to Morrison, who scored a perfect 3 pointer from near the side-line. Morrison followed that up with another 3 pointer only seconds later, making the score 18-15. The quarter continued with more 3 point baskets, first by Eberhardt and then a third for Morrison, who made the score 25-23 by the end of the first half.

Going into the 3rd quarter with confidence and a close score, the Bears brought tough defense to the Kentwood, keeping them from scoring. Tahoma kept up the defense with a blocked shot from Savanna Haverfield, and a stolen pass by Miller. Eberhardt drew a foul on offense, taking both free throw points for Tahoma. Kentwood continued to score, but Morrison then got a jump shot at the end of the third quarter for Tahoma, putting the score at 42-25.

The fourth quarter was a perfect opportunity for the Bears to show their determination, team-work and passion, and they did just that. Maddie Smith (3), drew a foul at the start of the fourth quarter, taking 1 basket for the Bears. Savanna Haverfield scored a layup with strong defense on her, putting the Bears at 30 points. Morrison scored yet another 3 pointer later on in the quarter, making the score 50-35. Cheyenne Haverfield took a fantastic jump shot from outside the key, score now being 53-38. Tahoma continued to put up a fight with a solid zone defense and shots by Eberhardt and Haily Tift (32), but in the end, Kentwood took the victory, final score being 56-46.

The high scorer of the night, with four 3-point baskets and a total of 16 points, was Kymber Morrison. Even sick with Bronchitis, Morrison brought her best and most intense game, scoring high for the Bears and seeming unstoppable as she drained the outside shots all night long.