DARLINGTON – Taryn and Kennedy Rankin combined to score 39 points to lead Darlington over Boscobel, 74-35, in a SWAL girls’ basketball game at DHS on Thursday, Dec. 15.
    Taryn, a senior, scored 18 of her game-high 20 points in the first half, while Kennedy, a junior, added 14 points of her 19 points in the opening half to lift the Lady Redbirds (6-2 overall, 2-1 SWAL) out to a 44-15 halftime lead. The sisters teamed up for seven more points in the second half to outscore the Bulldogs (1-6, 0-3) all by themselves.
    Darlington got plenty of support up and down their line-up en route to their third straight win and their second consecutive SWAL triumph. Every player saw time on the court and nine of them found their way into the scorebook.
    “I love that everybody gets to touch the floor and I love that everybody cheers for everybody else. It’s such a close-knit team. I’m very proud we can put ourselves in situations where we can be happy for each other in any circumstance,” said Darlington head coach Kelly Rose.
    Senior Sadie Fitzsimons netted six points along with sophomores Bethany McDonald and Kathleen Mathias, while senior Callie Norton and sophomore Kaylee Meyers chipped in with five points apiece for the ‘Birds.
    “The girls are really coming around. We’re really flowing in a way I envisioned we would this season,” added Rose. “It feels good to see them execute what we’ve been working on and be successful.”
    Defensively, Darlington limited the Bulldogs to just nine total field goals. The Redbirds out-shot their guests 23-7 from 2-point range and 5-2 from beyond the 3-point arc.
    Boscobel knocked down 15-of-30 free throw attempts, while the Redbirds went 13-of-19 from the foul stripe on the night.
    “I’m really proud and really happy to get another W,” Rose replied.
    Junior Alyssa Davis was 10-for-13 from the foul line on her way to a team-high 14 points for the ‘Dawgs. Sophomore Leah Wacker knocked down two 3s and scored all eight of her points in the second half for Boscobel.
    Darlington will host Black Hawk in a non-conference game on Friday, Dec. 23.

Boscobel……….. 15   20 – 35
Darlington……… 44   30 – 74
    Boscobel – Davis 14, Bray 4, Ernst 1, Fischer 1, Zumpel 2, Wacker 8, Knowles 5. Totals – 9  15-30  35.
    Darlington – Gabrielle Steiner 3, Callie Norton 5, Sadie Fitzsimons 6, Bethany McDonald 6, Kathleen Mathias 6, Emma Crist 4, Taryn Rankin 20, Kennedy Rankin 19, Kaylee Meyers 5. Totals – 28  13-19  74.
    3-point goals– B 2 (Wacker 2), D 0 (Steiner 1, McDonald 2, K. Rankin 2). Total fouls– B 16, D 25. Fouled out– D: McDonald.