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Redbirds whip up on Wildcats
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WITH HER back to the basket, Darlington junior Kathleen Mathias (#20) scores a basket between four Southwestern defenders in Fridays SWAL contest at DHS.

     DARLINGTON — The Darlington Redbirds girls’ basketball team remained unbeaten in SWAL play this season after whipping up the visiting Southwestern Wildcats, 65-31, at DHS on Friday, Dec. 15.
    The Wildcats (2-6 overall, 0-3 SWAL) held a 4-0 lead three minutes into the game, but that ended in a flash when the Redbirds (6-2, 3-0) struck for 12 unanswered points– the first eight coming during a quick 35-second scoring burst– to grab the lead for good.
    After senior Chelsie Golackson got Darlington on the scoreboard with a basket at the 14:55 mark of the first half, junior Kathleen Mathias scored an old-fashioned three-point play to put the ‘Birds into the lead and senior Meghan Douglas followed with a 3-pointer of her own to make it 8-4 with 14:20 to play in the half.
    Another 3-pointer by Kaylee Meyers and a free throw by senior Kennedy Rankin extended the Redbirds’ run to 12-0, and they never looked back building up a 39-17 halftime advantage before sailing to a 34-point victory.
    Mathias led three Redbirds in double figures with a game-high 15 points. Meyers buried two more 3-pointers on her way to a 12-point night, while sophomore Brenna McDonald came off the bench for 10 points for the ‘Birds.
    Junior Bethany McDonald added eight points and Rankin finished with seven for the hosts.
    “We are all happy with the win over Southwestern, but we know we have not yet reached our full potential as a team,” said Darlington coach Kelly Rose. “I am proud of all the girls’ contributions. It was nice to be able to work the entire roster into the game. I am hoping to see similar contributions Tuesday versus Fennimore, and in the battle with Black Hawk on Thursday.”
    Junior guard Hailey Hinman netted 12 points to lead the Wildcats.
    At Richland Center, on Tuesday, Dec. 12, the Lady Redbirds used a balance offensive attack to pester the host Hornets, 64-36, in a non-conference affair.
    Darlington flew out to a 31-11 halftime advantage, and kept up the scoring in the second half by adding another 33 points to roll over the Hornets (2-5).
    Kaylee Meyers scored 19 and Kathleen Mathias added 12 points for the ‘Birds. Reagan Crist and Kennedy Rankin netted eight points apiece and Meghan Douglas dropped in seven points in the win.
    Junior Jenna Thomas poured in a game-high 20 points to pace the Hornets.
    Darlington has a tough upcoming non-conference game at top-ranked Black Hawk on Thursday, Dec. 21, before taking the rest of holidays off. The Redbirds return to the court on Thursday, Jan. 4, when they host Boscobel in a SWAL contest.

Southwestern……. 17   14 – 31
Darlington………… 39   26 – 65
    Southwestern – Droessler 2, Hinman 12, Mac. Myers 1, Mad. Myers 4, Birkett 2, Kaiser 4, Budden 6. Totals – na.
    Darlington – Brenna McDonald 10, Bethany McDonald 8, Meghan Douglas 5, Casey Glendenning 4, Kathleen Mathias 15, Reagan Crist 2, Chelsie Golackson 2, Kennedy Rankin 8, Kaylee Meyers 12. Totals – na.
    3-point goals– S 1 (Hinman 1), D 6 (Be. McDonald 2, Douglas 1, Meyers 3). Total fouls– S 15, D 18. Fouled out– na.

Darlington………… 31   33 – 64
Richland Center…. 11   25 – 36
    Darlington – Bethany McDonald 2, Meghan Douglas 7, Casey Glendenning 2, Kathleen Mathias 12, Reagan Crist 8, Maddie Crist 2, Chelsie Golackson 4, Kennedy Rankin 8, Kaylee Meyers 19. Totals – na.
    Richland Center– Schmitz 3, Adsit 5, Olson 2, Monson 2, Thomas 20, Ruetten 4. Totals – na.
    3-point goals– D 4 (Douglas 1, Mathias 1, Meyers 2), RC 1 (Schmitz 1). Total fouls– D 13, RC 5. Fouled out– None.