The Bulldog girls’ varsity basketball team has enjoyed several years of success while playing against the neighboring Polar Bears, but their luck ran out on Saturday, Jan. 3, as Hortonville powered to a 60-43 win.
The Polar Bears moved the ball well and played with purpose on defense from the opening tip. Their aggressive play helped them take a 16-7 lead after one quarter.
The Bulldogs weren’t about to let the game slip away in the first half. With a boost from the home crowd, New London surged to a 17-13 advantage in the second quarter to narrow Hortonville’s lead to 29-24 at the half.
Hortonville made some adjustments during the break and came out firing in the third quarter, outscoring New London 16-9. The Polar Bears kept the pressure on in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Bulldogs 15-10 to earn a 17-point road win.
The Polar Bears made 15 of 33 shots (45 percent) while the Bulldogs made 15 of 35 shots (42 percent). Hortonville made six shots from 3-point range, while New London hit three from beyond the arc.
Hortonville made several trips to the free throw line, sinking 24 of 33 attempts (72 percent). New London had 13 free throw attempts, making 10 of them (76 percent).
Hortonville held a 21-13 rebounding advantage and had only nine turnovers, while New London had 17 turnovers.
Maddie Dunathan scored 17 points for Hortonville while Madi Walter added 11. Shay Frederick dropped in nine, while Sarah Huebner added seven. Lexy Campshure added six, Jenna Jalling netted five, and Kayla Peterson scored two. Morgan Allen contributed two points, and Gabby McKeever scored one.
Payton Mix scored 17 points for New London, while Leah Porath added 12. Maddie Schroeder and Macy Madsen both scored six, while Lili Gould added two.