On Tuesday, December 26, the Red Bud Lady Musketeers competed in their first game
of the Lebanon Christmas Tournament against the Du Quoin Lady Indians. The Musketeers had
a tough matchup with the Indians last year and were hoping to redeem themselves.
In the first quarter, neither Red Bud’s offense or defense were at their best, but the
Musketeers still managed to keep within four points of the Indians. MaKenzie Harbaugh started
the game off by sinking a three-point shot to put Red Bud in the lead right off the batt. Sophia
Koesterer drove to the basket and put in a two-pointer. She also went three for three from the
free throw line. Sophie Richards also was fouled twice and made two of four free throws. At the
end of the quarter, Red Bud was down 10-14.
Not ready to back down, the Lady Musketeers began to knock in several shots in the
second quarter. Richards fought hard and was strong from the post adding eight points to the
board for Red Bud. Hope Guebert also put in a two-point shot. Alyssa Heller and Laura Juelfs
were both fouled and went two for two from the free throw line. Koesterer was fouled as well
and made one of two free throws. Going into halftime, Red Bud was falling 25-34.
In the third quarter, Red Bud came out slow and struggled to knock in many shots.
Harbaugh got an offensive rebound and went right back up to make a two-point shot. Richards
also made a shot from the post. She was fouled on the shot as well and made her free throw.
This put the score at 30-46.
The Musketeers increased their score by twelve points in the fourth quarter. Richards
was strong from the post again, knocking in three shots, to add six points to the board.
Koesterer continued to drive to the basket, drawing several fouls. She went four for four from
the free throw line. Claire Grohmann and Juelfs were both fouled as well and made one of two
free throws. Red Bud took the loss against Du Quoin with a final score of 42-54.
On Wednesday, December 27, the Red Bud Lady Musketeers took on the Roxana Lady
Shells in their second game of the Lebanon Christmas Tournament. In order to continue on in
the tournament, the Musketeers knew they needed to win this game.
In the first quarter, Red Bud came out strong and ready to play. The Musketeers were
knocking in shots left and right, immediately putting the Shells down under. Koesterer sank a
three-pointer. She also was fouled and went one for two from the free throw line. Richards was
strong from the post, putting six points on the board for the Musketeers. Juelfs also made two,
two-point shots from the post. Harbaugh contributed with two points as well. Red Bud was
leading 16-3 at the end of the quarter.
The Lady Musketeers continued to increase their lead in the second quarter by adding
another thirteen points to their score. Guebert knocked in two, two-pointers contributing with
four points. Koesterer and Richards both made a two-point shot as well. Heller was fouled
several times and went five for six from the free throw line. At halftime, Red Bud was ahead
29-9.
In the third quarter, nothing was going in favor of the Musketeers. They were unable to
keep up with the lady Shells and struggled to knock in their shots. Heller scored the only points
of the quarter. She was fouled twice and went two for four from the free throw line. This put the
score at 31-17.
The Musketeers added eleven points to their score in the fourth quarter, giving them a
more comfortable lead. Richards fought hard at the post and knocked in three, two-point shots.
Juelfs also fought hard at the post and was fouled twice. She went two for four from the three
throw line. Grohmann contributed with two points as well. Red Bud defeated Roxana with a final
score of 42-21.
On Thursday, December 28, the Red Bud Lady Musketeers faced the Marissa Lady
Meteors. The Musketeers knew they must work hard and were hoping to take care of business
to advance to the Consolation Championship game.
In the first quarter, Red Bud made basket after basket giving them an early lead.
Koesterer sank a three-point shot and also drove to the basket to add another two points to the
board. Harbaugh also sank a three-pointer. She was fouled on a shot as well and went two for
two from the free throw line. Juelfs put up a shot from the post contributing with two points.
Heller also made a shot from the post and went one for two from the free throw line. Richards
was fouled on shot as well and made both free throws. At the end of the quarter, Red Bud was
ahead 17-8.
The Lady Musketeers did not back down in the second quarter. They continued to make
shots left and right. Koesterer sank two, three-pointers adding six points to Red Bud’s score.
Richards fought hard from the post and made three shots. She was also fouled twice and went
two for three from the free throw line. Alyssa Cowell contributed with two points as well. Going
into halftime, Red Bud was leading 33-14.
In the third quarter, Red Bud increased their lead by adding another twelve points to
their score. Richards fought hard and went up strong to the basket several times. She put ten
points on the board for the Musketeers. Juelfs also made two, two-point shots from the post as
well. This put the score at 45-24.
The Musketeers did not back off in the fourth quarter. They continued to rack up points,
increasing their lead by even more. Richards put in three, two-pointers from the post. Cowell
drove to the basket and made a two-pointer. Guebert and Juelfs also contributed with two points
as well. Red Bud defeated Marissa with a final score of 57-32.
On Friday, December 29, the Red Bud Lady Musketeers competed against the Wesclin
Lady Warriors in the Consolation Championship of the Lebanon Christmas Tournament.
Knowing it was going to be a close match up, the Musketeers knew they needed to play their
best defense and continue to run a fast offense to win this game.
In the first quarter, Red Bud came out a little slow. Although the Musketeers were
holding Wesclin, their shots were not falling. Koesterer drove to the basket twice and made two,
two-point shots. Juelfs also posted up strong and made a two-pointer as well. Red Bud was
down 6-7 at the end of the quarter.
The Lady Musketeers shut down the Lady Warriors in the second quarter. Making shot
after shot, Red Bud quickly took the lead. Koesterer sank two, three-pointers and made a
two-point shot as well. Richards made some strong moves from the post and put in three shots.
She also drew a foul on a shot and went one for two from the free throw line. Juelfs also fought
hard at the post and made two, two-point shots. She was fouled on a shot as well and made
both free throws. At halftime, Red Bud was ahead 27-10.
In the third quarter, Red Bud continued to make shots and increase their score. Richards
made another three, two, point shots from the post. She was also fouled twice and made two of
three free throws. Koesterer was fouled several times as well and went four for six from the free
throw line. Juelfs posted up strong and made a two-point shot. Guebert also contributed with
two points. This put the score at 43-28.
Although the Musketeers were outscored in the fourth quarter, they still managed to add
another eight points to their score. Richards made a two-point shot from the post. She was also
fouled multiple times and went five for seven from the free throw line. Harbaugh was fouled as
well and made one of two free throws. Red Bud claimed the victory, as well as the Consolation
Championship title against Wesclin with a final score of 51-40.
Red Bud is scheduled to travel to Steeleville on Thursday, January 4.