There was good news late Wednesday for Polk County’s girls basketball squad, which proved a relief after a start to the night the team would love to soon forget.
The Wolverines played on even terms with Reynolds over the final three quarters, but an 18-4 first-quarter advantage ensured the Rockets would head home the victor, Reynolds taking a 62-46 win in non-conference play at Polk County.
The Wolverines (7-5) also saw a welcome sight in the third quarter as senior center Sarah Phipps entered the gym and sat with the team, just having returned from a two-week trip to China. Phipps’ return will help bolster a lineup also missing sophomore guard India Godlock, likely out the rest of January with a high ankle sprain.
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“Having Sarah back will definitely help us out,” said Polk County head coach Brandy Alm. “We had eight players tonight and everyone played their hearts out.
“Their second chance shots killed us early. Later on we started boxing out better and limiting them, but early on that was the killer.”
Led by Dallas Warren’s 21 points, Reynolds (7-6) kept the lead safely in double digits throughout the night, though Polk County’s hustle on both ends of the floor ensured the margin would remain between 14 and 20 points for most of the final three quarters.
“The effort is always there from this group,” Alm said. “Our shots just weren’t falling.”
Hayley Kropp scored 23 points to lead Polk County, which returns to action on Monday, hosting North Henderson in another non-conference game. Kropp also had eight rebounds and four assists. Kara Overholt had five steals, Autumn Owen had six rebounds and Ashley Kropp had five rebounds.
Polk County Scoring
Hayley Kropp 23, Kara Overholt 7, Autumn Owen 6, Ashley Kropp 6, Savannah Ross 4
