On Tuesday, December 12, the Red Bud Musketeers faced the Waterloo Bulldogs in
their first game of the Waterloo Gibault Candy Cane Tournament. The Lady Musketeers had a
close matchup with the Lady Bulldogs earlier in the season. Knowing that they did not play to
their full potential, the Musketeers were ready to come out much stronger against the Bulldogs
this go around.
In the first quarter, Red Bud came out strong and put points on the board right off the
bat. The Musketeers also played outstanding defense, holding the Bulldogs to two points.
Sophia Koesterer knocked in multiple shots, putting a total of eight points on the board for the
Musketeers. She sank two, three-point shots and also went two for two from the free throw line.
Laura Juelfs was strong at the post and put in two, two-point shots as well. Hope Guebert also
contributed with two points. At the end of the quarter, Red Bud was ahead 14-2.
The Lady Musketeers increased their lead in the second quarter by adding another
twelve points to the scoreboard. Koesterer sank another three-point shot. Sophie Richards
made a shot from the post and was fouled on a shot as well. She made one of two free throws.
MaKenzie Harbaugh put a shot back up, after getting an offensive rebound, to put another two
points on the board for Red Bud. Alyssa Cowell and Alyssa Heller also both contributed with two
points. Going into halftime, Red Bud was leading 26-8.
In the third quarter, Red Bud came out slow and struggled quite a bit. The Musketeers
continued to play good defense, but struggled offensively and only managed to put two points
on the board. From the post, Heller scored the only basket of the quarter. This put the score at
28-14.
The Musketeers continued to hold the Bulldogs in the fourth quarter. Although Waterloo
outscored Red Bud by one point, it was not enough. The Lady Musketeers fought hard until the
buzzer. Sami Lucht knocked in a two-point shot from the high post. Heller also put in another
basket for the Musketeers. Richards was fouled and went one for two from the free throw line as
well. Red Bud defeated Waterloo in their first game of the tournament with a final score of
33-20.
On Thursday, December 14, Red Bud took on Columbia in their second game of the
Waterloo Gibault Candy Cane Tournament. Going into this game, the Lady Musketeers knew it
was going to be fast pace and they could not slack off. Playing good defense and running a
smart offense were going to be key in this game.
In the first quarter, Columbia ran Red Bud to the ground. The Lady Eagles scored
multiple points on steals and fastbreaks. The Lady Musketeers struggled to keep up with them
and only managed to put three points on the board. Harbaugh made a two-point shot from the
high post. Koesterer was also fouled and went one for two from the free throw line. Red Bud
was down 3-17 at the end of the quarter.
The Musketeers came out with much more enthusiasm and confidence in the second
quarter. Koesterer sank a three-pointer, adding three points to Red Bud’s score. After getting
the offensive rebound, Juelfs went right back up for the shot, putting another two points on the
scoreboard. Heller also made a shot from the high post. Richards was fouled multiple times and
went three for four from the free throw line. At halftime, Red Bud was falling 13-29.
In the third quarter, Red Bud increased their score by eight points. However, Columbia
took the game away by adding twenty-one points to their score. Cowell sank a three-point shot

to add three points to the board. Richards fought hard from the post and knocked in two,
two-pointers. Koesterer was also fouled and went one for two from the free throw line. This put
the score at 21-50.
The fourth quarter was slow for both Red Bud and Columbia. At this point in the game,
both teams were trying to run the clock down. The Lady Eagles’ tremendous lead gave the
Musketeers no hope to come back. Red Bud was defeated by Columbia with a final score of
21-54.
On Saturday, December 16, Red Bud faced Waterloo Gibault for the third place title of
the Waterloo Gibault Candy Cane Tournament. After defeating Waterloo Gibault twice earlier in
the season, the Lady Musketeers were hoping to do another repeat.
In the first quarter, Red Bud came out strong on both offense and defense. The
Musketeers continued to knock in shots left and right and prevented the Hawks from scoring
any points. Koesterer sank two, three-pointers to add six points to the scoreboard. Harbaugh
also contributed with three points, after knocking in a three-point shot. Richards was strong from
the post, making two shots. She was also fouled and went one for two from the free throw line.
At the end of the quarter, Red Bud was ahead 14-0.
The Lady Musketeers increased their lead by adding another eight points to their score
in the second quarter. After getting the offensive rebound, Harbaugh went right back up for the
shot to put two points on the scoreboard. Cowell put in a two-point shot as well. Richards also
made a two-point shot from the post. Koesterer was fouled and went two for three from the free
throw line. Going into halftime, Red Bud was leading 22-7.
In the third quarter, Red Bud continued to add to their score, giving them a more
comfortable lead. Richards contributed with five points, making two, two-point shots and going
one for three from the free throw line. Juelfs also made a shot from the post. She was fouled as
well and made one of two free throws. Harbaugh cut to the basket and receive a pass from the
wing to get a two-point shot. This put the score at 32-13.
Red Bud began to slow down in the fourth quarter and was outscored six to two.
Koesterer made the only shot of the quarter after driving to the basket for a two-pointer. Red
Bud defeated Waterloo Gibault with a final score of 34-19 to claim the third place title in the
Waterloo Gibault Candy Cane Tournament.
Red Bud is scheduled to host New Athens on Wednesday, December 20.

Gallery • 17 Photos

Sarah Heller