By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Lutes lights up Thunder
Placeholder Image

    SAVANNA, ILL. – Benton/Shullsburg guard Blaire Lutes shot the lights out at the 2012 West Carroll Shootout, connecting on 11 of her 17 shots from the field en route to a career-high 27 points to lead the Zephyr-Miners over the host Thunder, 55-26, in a non-conference girls’ basketball game on Saturday, Jan. 21.
    Lutes connected on 8-of-13 attempts from 2-point range and 3-of-4 shots from beyond the 3-point arc while adding a pair of free throws to single-handedly outscore the Thunder in the game, 27-26.
    The Shullsburg junior also recorded a team-best six steals to go along with three assists and four rebounds to cap a monster day on the hardwood for the Miner-Zephyrs.
    Already leading by five by the end of the opening stanza, Benton/Shullsburg (6-6 overall) started to pull away from West Carroll in the second quarter thanks to a 17-8 run and Coach Nathan Russell’s squad came out and blanked the Thunder in the third quarter, 10-0, to build up a comfortable 39-15 advantage.
    For good measure, the Zephyr-Miners outscored the hosts 16-11 in the fourth quarter to put the finishing touches on their best defensive showing of the year by holding West Carroll to 26 points en route to the 29-point victory.
    Sophomore Sarah Redfearn spearheaded the defensive effort with eight rebounds (six on defense), eight blocked shots and two steals to go along with four points.
    Freshman Jenna Droessler finished with a season-high eight points and added two assists and two steals for B/S, while junior Stephanie Roberts tallied seven points and three assists in the game.  
    At Juda, on Tuesday, Jan. 17, University of North Dakota recruit Ellen Kiser poured in a game-high 21 points to usher the host Panthers past the Benton/Shullsburg co-op, 51-31, in a non-conference meeting.
    Kiser scored eight of her team’s points in the pivotal second quarter which saw the Panthers outscore the Zephyr-Miners by a 15-3 margin to build up a 25-9 halftime lead.
    Coach Nathan Russell’s crew could never make up for their slow start as they were held to a season-low 31-point offensive output by the Panthers (10-3).
    Blaire Lutes led the co-op with 13 points and Sarah Redfearn chipped in with 11 points.
    At Shullsburg, on Friday, Jan. 20, the Zephyr-Miners’ Six Rivers West game against Cassville was postponed due to Friday’s snowstorm. The game has been rescheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 7, at 7:30 p.m.
    Benton/Shullsburg hosts River Ridge in SRW game at Benton on Thursday, Jan. 26, and Potosi also at Benton on Monday, Jan. 30, in a make-up SRW game from Jan. 12.

Bent/Shulls…. 12  17  10  16 - 55
West Carroll…   7    8    0  11 - 26
Leading Scorers: Blaire Lutes 27, Jenna Droessler 8, Stephanie Roberts 7, Sarah Redfearn 4, Haley Morrissey 3, Melissa Brant 2, Alyssa Leeser 2, Emma Neis 2.

Bent/Shulls…   6    3  14    8 - 31
Juda….….….. 10  15  14  12 - 51
Leading Scorers: Blaire Lutes 13, Sarah Redfearn 11, Molly Blackbourn 2, Stephanie Roberts 2, Alyssa Leeser 2, Jenna Droessler 1.