January 22, 2025

GIRLS HOOPS: Bulldogs nab back-to-back Ws

Boswell sisters lead the week statistically

By Ryan Stonebraker
O-M's Marissa Cass dishes the ball to a teammate in the backcourt during a recent game.

O-M's Marissa Cass dishes the ball to a teammate in the backcourt during a recent game. (Larry Peterson)

The Orient-Macksburg girls basketball team improved to 7-4 overall with a pair of wins last week at home. The Bulldogs had three home games last week and were scheduled to begin this upcoming week at home on Monday for their fourth straight home game. The Bulldogs play at Lamoni Jan. 24 with the Bluegrass Conference Tournament beginning the next day.

The week began with a home loss to Moravia, 53-46. The Bulldogs did not lead at the end of any of the four quarters. Moravia led by only four points, 14-10 after the first quarter and by three at halftime, 29-26. Each team scored 12 third quarter points as the Bulldogs were only down by three points, 41-38 going to the final quarter. In the final quarter, Moravia outscored the Bulldogs 12-8.

The Bulldogs were led in scoring and rebounding by Emma Boswell with 21 points and 18 rebounds.

Ella Boswell also had a double-double in the game with 17 points and 13 rebounds.

Three Moravia players scored in double figures led by Leah DeJong with 12 points and six rebounds while Jaida Spencer scored 11 points and had eight rebounds and Jamie Self had 10 points. Two other players had nine points each.

The Bulldogs picked up a 48-23 win at home over Essex Jan. 16 and a 32-28 win over Seymour the following night.

Against Essex, a big second quarter by the Bulldogs was enough to take control of their game with the Trojans in a 48-23 non-conference win at home. The Bulldogs took a while to settle into the game, leading only 7-6 after the first quarter. Both the offense and defense played well in the second quarter as a 13-1 run in that frame gave the Bulldogs a 20-7 halftime lead. The Bulldogs led 37-12 going to the final quarter and finished the game on a 17-5 run.

The Bulldogs were led by 22 points from Emma Boswell and 11 points from Ella Boswell.

Seymour came into the game having lost three straight games to Saydel, Ankeny Christian and Melcher-Dallas. The Bulldogs won their second straight game and third game in five with the win. O-M led by three points, 19-16 at halftime and outscored the Warriors 13 to 12 in the second half to secure the four-point win. The Bulldogs led 30-25 with three minutes left in the game and 31-26 with a minute left in regulation. O-M never trailed in the second half even with the close score.

The Bulldogs were led by 12 points from Emma Boswell.