MENDOTA – Mendota had trouble shooting the basketball and Bureau Valley did not, which resulted in a lopsided 59-17 win for the Storm in Three Rivers Conference varsity girls’ basketball action on Jan. 4 at the MHS gym.

Bureau Valley moved out to a 16-6 lead after the first quarter and took a 34-13 advantage to intermission. The Lady Trojans managed only one field goal and two free throws in the second half.

“Bureau Valley shot really, really well for about two and a half quarters and we just did not,” said Mendota coach John Hansen. “We didn’t play how we want to play.”

Kennedy Knaff and Laylie Denault supplied six points apiece for Mendota, while Ryleigh Sondgeroth collected three rebounds.

***

Trouble on offense continued for the Lady Trojans in a 52-16 setback to Rock Falls in a nonconference match-up on Jan. 6 at the MHS gym.

Mendota found itself staring up at a 20-2 deficit after the first eight-minute session. The count was 36-12 at the break.

“The shooting woes are just bringing our play down,” said Hansen. “We need to get hot and keep grinding.”

Knaff led Mendota with five points. Ella Martin and Grace Wasmer pulled off three rebounds apiece.

***

Kewanee had a strong first quarter that propelled it to a 49-28 triumph over the Lady Trojans in Three Rivers Conference play on Jan. 8 at the MHS gym. Mendota’s records fell to 4-15 overall and 0-6 in the league.

The Lady Boilers came out smoking in the first quarter and owned a 21-8 lead heading to the second period. Mendota’s seven points in the second quarter were all from the free throw line while Kewanee tacked on 13 points to grab a 34-15 halftime margin.

“We had energy at both ends of the floor, we are just in a shooting slump,” stated Hansen.

Martin and Ava Eddy led the Lady Trojans with nine points apiece. Wasmer topped the rebounding chart with nine, while Martin and Denault each had five steals.