Russell Splits with Smith Center
Girls: Smith Center 51, Russell 39
Boys: Russell 60, Smith Center 30
The Russell High School girls basketball team hosted Smith Center at Amos Morris Gym in Russell on Tuesday, January 11 and lost 51-39.
The Lady Broncos jumped out to a 14-9 lead after one quarter. However, the Lady Red outscored Russell 17-2 in the second period and Smith Center led 26-16 at the half. Smith Center held a 35-29 advantage after three stanzas and pulled away in the fourth frame.
Aniya Stierlen led Russell with 10 points and eight rebounds. Camille Dortland and Kelvie Reeves each scored nine points.
Smith Center was paced by Dakota Kattenberg's 12 points. Tallon Rentschler and Ashlyn Long each followed with 10 points.
Russell committed 20 turnovers and only forced eight Smith Center turnovers.
Both teams finished with 24 rebounds, but the Lady Red outrebounded the Lady Broncos 12 to 9 on the offensive glass.
The Russell girls fall to 4-4 overall and 2-2 in the Mid-Continent League.
The Russell boys had a dominating second half in their game and won going away by a score of 60-30.
Smith Center led 13-9 after one period, but Russell hit three three-pointers in the second quarter and pulled ahead 25-23 at the break. The Broncos outscored the Redmen 18-1 in the third frame and led 43-24 heading into the fourth quarter. Smith Center only made one field goal in the entire second half, Russell pulled away and the last few minutes of the contest were played with a running clock.
Jackson Cross paced Russell with 17 points, all in the second half. Charlie Krug followed with 10 points. In all, nine Broncos scored. Josh Sohm recorded seven rebounds.
Nolan Lehmann led the Redmen with 16 points.
Russell committed just six turnovers and forced 14 Smith Center turnovers.
The Broncos outrebounded the Redmen 27 to 22 and nine to seven on the offensive glass.
The Russell boys improve to 4-4 overall and 1-2 in the MCL.
Next up, the Russell girls and boys play in the Mid-Continent League mid-season basketball tournament starting on Saturday, January 15. Tournament brackets are scheduled to be released sometime Wednesday, January 12. Check back to KRSL.com for the brackets and our broadcast schedule.