“The young Arrows battled hard defensively, but quickly we were able to pull out ahead and would never look back,” said Head Coach David Marso of the Battlers.  “Our defensive effort was good tonight and at the half the lead had grown to 39-9.”

Offensively, we were led by seniors Grace VanErp with 18 points, while Ady Tysdal and Morgan Malone both added 10 points.

“We knew we had our work cut out for us,” said Ashby Head Coach Brenda Johnson.  “The Battlers have a very good core of players who have experience and a solid inside-outside game.  The Arrows were able to get some pretty good looks at the basket, but the ball had a different idea tonight.”

The Arrows made just 2-of-31 field goal attempts and only 1-of-15 3’s.

Celi Nelson, the only senior led the team with 10 rebounds, 5 steals and 4 points.  Ninth-grader Marisa Ludwig had 5 rebounds, 4 steals and 3 points.  Sophomore Brookelinn Finkelson had 5 rebounds and 2 blocked shots.

“As the only senior Celi has a lot of responsibility at both ends of the court,” acknowledged Coach Johnson.  “Marisa had some great aggressive drives to the hole tonight.  We just need those lay-ups to go through the net.  Brookelinn is a player who gives 100% the entire game.  Eighth-grader Chloe Finkelson played opposite her sister in the post and with more court time she is going to be a force underneath.  Our youth was very noticeable in the area of turnovers as we had 37.  I have to give Coach Marso and his team a lot of credit for their basketball skills and teamwork.  Coach Marso and his players are a class act.  Our girls fought hard to the end of the game and as a Coach that’s all we can ask for.”

Ashby goes to Fergus Falls on Thursday to face Hillcrest Lutheran Academy in another Little Eight Conference contest.

Battle Lake will welcome Park Christian into their gym on Thursday night for a non-conference battle.