HUMBOLDT Humboldt Lady Cub basketball coach Aubrey Jones knew her young squad would take its lumps early in the season, which was the case on Friday night as they lost 51-27 to defending league champion Eureka.
The Lady Cubs hung around in the first half by hitting their free throws, but Eureka used a pressing defense and pulled away down the stretch.
We shot free throws really well. We have a young team and we knew we would have some growing up to do along the way. We tried to prepare them for that press and how it would be in a game situation. The team started to relax in the second half, but I see a lot of promise in this team, Jones said. “Like I said we are young. My three point guards are a sophomore and two freshmen.
Eureka took a 15-5 lead into the second quarter as Emilee Escareno drained a 3-pointer at the buzzer. Humboldt quietly edged back into the contest, going 5-of-6 from the free-throw line to trail 24-13 at the break.
The Lady Tornadoes outscored the Lady Cubs 11-5 in the third quarter as they blew the game open.
Sophomore Kirstyn Murrow led Humboldt with 11 points, followed by Emma Johnson and Jada Dangerfield, who chipped in with five points apiece.