February 21, 2025

Madrid’s long shot wins it over Bulldogs

Tigers win 41-38 in last game at Orient-Macksburg

By Ryan Stonebraker
Orient-Macksburg junior Kaydence Kirkland (15) scans the back court for an open pass in the Bulldogs' Feb. 13 playoff girls basketball game against Madrid.

Orient-Macksburg junior Kaydence Kirkland (15) scans the back court for an open pass in the Bulldogs' Feb. 13 playoff girls basketball game against Madrid. (Dan Dickinson)

The ending wasn’t anything like what Orient-Macksburg basketball fans wanted, but the effort given by the Bulldogs throughout Thursday, Feb. 13’s playoff game against Madrid.

Despite the fact the Bulldogs had a better record than the Tigers, junior Samantha Springer drilled a three-quarter court 3-pointer at the final buzzer to give Madrid a 41-38 road win. The game was the last for Orient-Macksburg in its home gym as the district is looking to dissolve in the summer of 2026 after one year of whole grade sharing with Nodaway Valley.

The game was tied with three seconds left. After a missed Orient-Macksburg shot, Springer got a defensive rebound and needed two dribbles before she launched the winning shot, and it went in.

“What a way to end it,” said O-M coach Dave Hartman.

The game had a slow start for both teams. The Bulldogs found themselves down 6-1 in the first quarter before they were able to settle in and trail 6-4 at the end of the stanza.

Outscoring Madrid 15-10 in the second, Orient-Macksburg led 19-16 at halftime.

Tied at 38 late, the stage was set for someone to make a move, and Madrid was the team that made it.

“The moment wasn’t too big for us. We hadn’t talked much about this being out last game, then today (February 13) everyone was. The news station (KCCI) was here, there was a buzz in the school. The kids knew what was at stake and they made the school and community proud,” said O-M head coach Dave Hartman.

Hartman said he thought the girls played well, though it wasn’t pretty.

“It was a fight and our girls got in the fight. If you stand us up against them they are bigger than us. I am proud of how we fought in this game. It was a battle to make shots, get rebounds and we held our own,” Hartman said. “Their zone caused us some problems and it was a tough night for both teams to score.”

Two Bulldogs scored in double figures with junior Emma Boswell and freshman Mattie Thompson each scoring 13 points. Emma Boswell added 17 rebounds. It was the second straight game that Thompson scored at least 13 points. The Bulldogs had seven 3-pointers in the game.

Madrid was led by 22 points from junior Laura Eagleton. Eaglton was 8-for-19 shooting with three made 3-pointers. She also had a dozen rebounds for a double-double.