The Fort Calhoun High School girls basketball team is 3-0 on its four-game road swing to start the season.
The Pioneers' latest victory at Conestoga came by 31 points. Coach Eric Jones' team routed the Cougars, 55-24.
“We weren't playing very good at the beginning,” sophomore Ansley Elofson admitted. “Then, we kept fighting.”
Junior Ella Bouwman offered her own perspective, too.
“I think we played hard,” she said. “We were good teammates.”
Calhoun's Maelie Nelson scored her team's first two buckets of the game before Elofson's steal and score capped the Pioneers' side of the 12-4 first period.
Coach Jones' team added to its lead with a 18-8 second quarter, scoring 12 of those 18 points from beyond the 3-point line. Bouwman hit two, while Raeann Massey and Anna Taylor knocked down one apiece from long range.
“Making those points kind of just gets everybody riled up,” Bouwman said. “And it helps us transition into a stronger defense.”
FCHS continued building its advantage through the third and fourth periods with nine players scoring points overall. Elofson led all scorers with 15, while Massey notched 11, and both Bouwman and Nelson scored eight points. Taylor's second 3-point make pushed her total to six, too.
Even as they moved to 3-0, though, the Pioneers admitted the need for continued improvement during Coach Jones' first season leading the program.
“I think we should take care of the ball and not turn it over as much,” Elofson said, noting how Calhoun should always be working toward playing better with each possession.
The Pioneers were scheduled to wrap up their road swing Thursday at Douglas County West before their home opener Tuesday against Yutan. The first home contest is scheduled to start at 5:45 p.m.
FCHS HOOPS LINE SCORE
Tuesday
Fort Calhoun 55, Conestoga 24
FCHS (3-0) 12 18 11 14 — 55
CHS (0-2) 4 8 10 2 — 24
Scoring: FCHS — Ansley Elofson 15, Raeann Massey 11, Ella Bouwman 8, Maelie Nelson 8, Anna Taylor 6, Ari Nelson 2, Sophie Weeks 2, Jovi Grenier 2, Isabel Wray 1.
CHS — Davida Garrett 9, Grace Rodis 6, Ayla Garrett 5, Ella Tegels 2, Isabel Boland 2.
