DARLINGTON – There were many reasons for Darlington to doubt their chances for earning a victory against Southwestern, but the Redbirds refused to give in to any of those reasons.
    The ‘Birds battled early foul trouble, occasional shooting woes and a big second-half offensive effort by Wildcats senior Michelle Budden to pull out a 55-51 SWAL victory in prep girls’ basketball action at DHS on Thursday, Dec. 10.
    “Other than one moment of doubt, the rest of the game they knew they had it,” said Darlington head coach Kelly Rose after the game. “Southwestern fought hard, but our girls fought, too, and they finished it down the stretch, which I’m very proud of them for doing.”
    Darlington (2-4 overall, 1-1 SWAL) connected on 5-of-8 free throws over the final two minutes and 21 seconds to sink Southwestern (1-4, 0-2) for their first conference win of the season.
    The Redbirds had hit just 9 of their first 23 foul shots prior to finding their shooting touch down the stretch.
    “We hit just enough for us to get the win. We could have shot better, but we did enough to finish it out,” noted Rose.
    The Wildcats held a 15-9 lead midway through the first half, but the ‘Birds closed the half on a 19-13 run to even the score at 28 all by the intermission.
    Kennedy Rankin sank a pair of 3-pointers and scored eight points during the run, while Molly McDaniel added six points for the hosts.
    Darlington continued to their rally early in the second half, opening it on an 11-4 run to grab a 39-32 advantage. However, Budden scored 10 of the next 11 points to put the ‘Cats back on top 43-40 with 7:41 to play.
    Darlington regained a 48-46 lead on a putback by Taryn Rankin with 3:34 remaining, but Budden followed with a putback of her own to deadlock the score at 48 all.
    Taylor Jacobson put the ‘Birds back into the lead with a free throw with 2:21 to go, and she added another free throw and a basket in the final 71 seconds to help seal the victory.
    K. Rankin, who led the Redbirds with 15 points, sank two free throws down the stretch and T. Rankin, who netted seven points, added another free throw in the closing moments.
    “I think at this point of the year we’re getting the skills that we need, but it’s really getting through the mental blocks. This game was about out mental toughness,” commented Rose. “It’s definitely a confidence booster. It’s a good launching point, but I’m looking forward to seeing what else is to come from this team.”
    Jacobson finished with 12 points, while Emma Crist tallied eight, McDaniel scored seven and Sadie Fitzsimons added six for the ‘Birds.
    Budden scored 15 of her game-high 25 points in the second half to lead the Wildcats. Amber Brand scored 14 and Miranda Kemp had nine for the guests.
    At Darlington, on Tuesday, Dec. 8, the unbeaten Platteville Hillmen outscored the Lady Redbirds, 33-21, in the first half and rolled to a 66-51 non-conference victory.
    Sierra Brecke poured in 25 points to lead the Hillmen (5-0). Skye Digman added 15 points.
    Taylor Jacobson paced the Redbirds with 14 points. Taryn Rankin chipped in with nine points, while Emma Crist netted eight points and Molly McDaniel and Chelsea Golackson scored seven apiece for the hosts.
    Darlington has a SWAL game at home against Mineral Point on Friday, Dec. 18, at 7:30 p.m.

Southwestern…  28   23 – 51
Darlington……..  28   27 – 55
    Southwestern – Brand 14, Kruser 1, Riniker 2, Budden 25, Kemp 9. Totals – 13  16-28  51.
    Darlington – Sadie Fitzsimons 6, Molly McDaniel 7, Emma Crist 8, Taryn Rankin 7, Taylor Jacobson 12, Kennedy Rankin 15. Totals – 16  14-31  55.
    3-point goals– S 3 (Brand 2, Budden 1), D 3 (McDaniel 1, K. Rankin 2). Total fouls– S 24, D 23. Fouled Out– S: Kruser, Kemp.

Platteville….  33   33 – 66
Darlington…  21   30 – 51
    Platteville – Budden 5, Tashner 8, Emendorfer 7, Brookens 2, Woodworth 4, Brecke 25, Digman 15. Totals – 66.
    Darlington – Chelsea Golackson 7, Molly McDaniel 7, Emma Crist 8, Taryn Rankin 9, Taylor Jacobson 14, Kennedy Rankin 6. Totals – 51.
    3-point goals– P 4 (Tashner 2, Brecke 2), D 2 (Golackson 1, K. Rankin 1). Total fouls– P 17, D 24.

MISSING BOX SCORES
Dodgeville… 31  38 – 69
Darlington… 21  39 – 60
    Dodgeville – Stumpf 2, Jones 13, Crowley 34, Cushman 5, Pleumer 15. Totals – 20  24-30  69.
    Darlington – Sadie Fitzsimons 17, Chelsea Golackson 5, Emma Crist 7, Taryn Rankin 6, Taylor Jacobson 4, Kennedy Rankin 15, Hannah Kelly 2. Totals – 18  18-29  60.
    3-point goals– DO 5 (Crowley 4, Cusman 1), DA 8 (Fitzsimons 3, K. Rankin 2, Jacobson 1, Crist 1, Golackson 1). Total fouls– DO 21, DA 22. Fouled Out– D: K. Rankin.

Darlington…  50
Argyle………  49
    Darlington – Sadie Fitzsimons 4, Chelsea Golackson 2, Molly McDaniel 3, Taryn Rankin 8, Taylor Jacobson 25, Kennedy Rankin 8. Totals – 19  12-21  50.
    Argyle – Butler-Paulson 21, Ostby 2. Lantz 2, Saalsaa 8, Flannery 8, Godfrey 7, Thoman 2. Totals – 16  14-25  49.
    3-point goals– D 0, A 3 (Butler-Paulson 2, Flannery 1). Total fouls– D na, A na.