DARLINGTON — Cuba City used a strong first-half effort to take down the host Darlington Redbirds, 69-51, in a SWAL girls’ basketball game at DHS on Thursday, Jan. 20.

The Cubans (9-6 overall, 5-2 SWAL) raced out to a 41-22 lead over the Redbirds (8-6, 4-3) in the first half, and then Coach Jason Derby’s squad cruised the rest of the way to earn a season split with Coach Brad Solberg’s ‘Birds.

The Cubans had 20 steals and forced 25 turnovers on the night, which led to 26-8 advantage in points off turnovers for the game including an 18-0 difference in transition points.

Sophomore Aubrey McCarthy scored a career-high 17 points to lead the way for Darlington, and she also pulled down seven rebounds in the game.

Junor Mady Wedig had seven points. Junior Cayla Golackson chipped in with five points and two blocked shots, while sophomore Jaidyn Evenstad added five points and three assists.

Junior Jaylyn Schwartz tallied nine rebounds and two steals, and senior Kaylee Schwartz led the ‘Birds with three steals and three assists.

Cuba City freshmen Ella Vosberg and Olivia Olson teamed up to score 19 and 17 points, respectively, for the Cubans. Juniors Maddison Carl and Jenna Dailey netted 11 apiece in the win.

Darlington has SWAL games scheduled at home against Riverdale on Thursday, Jan. 27, and Fennimore on Friday, Jan. 28. The Redbirds also have a non-conference game at Potosi/Cassville on Tuesday, Feb. 1.

Cuba City……. 41    28 – 69
Darlington….. 22    19 – 51
Cuba City– Olivia Olson 17, Ella Vosberg 19, Jessi Meyer 1, Maddison Carl 11, Jenna Dailey 1, Grace Cummins 2, Dea Crist 8. Totals — 26  11-19  69.
Darlington – Emma Rielly 3, Mady Wedig 7, Mila Gille 2, Zoie Zuberbuhler 1, Aubrey McCarthy 17, Kaylee Schwartz 1, Jaidyn Evenstad 5, Jaylyn Schwartz 2, Greta Volkening 4, Cayla Golackson 5, Taylor Wedig 4. Totals – 19  9-19  51.
3-point goals– CC 6 (Olson 2, Carl 1, Dailey 3), D 4 (Rielly 1, M. Wedig 1, Evenstad 1, Volkening 1). Total fouls– CC 20, D 19. Fouled out– None.

LAST WEEK’S MISSING BOX SCORE
Darlington….. 11    10 – 21
Highland……. 25    25 – 50
Darlington – Emma Rielly 3, Zoie Zuberbuhler 2, Kaylee Schwartz 6, Jaylyn Schwartz 2, Greta Volkening 3, Taylor Wedig 5. Totals – 6  8-11  21.
Highland – Cody 3, H. Fredericks 3, Mueller 7, Drury 2, Me. Tarrell 6, M. Fredericks 1, Ma. Tarrell 3, Esser 15, Miller 8, Campbell 2. Totals – 17  8-13  50.
3-point goals– D 1 (Rielly 1), H 8 (Cody 1, Mueller 1, Me. Tarrell 1, Ma. Tarrell 1, Esser 4). Total fouls– D 15, H 15. Fouled out– None.