Basketball Recap: Natalee North's Big Game Can't Quite Lead Ellis over Russell

Ellis was not able to break out of their rough patch on Thursday as the team picked up their third straight loss. They took a 64-47 bruising from the Russell Broncos. The Railroaders were not able to make up for their defeat to the Broncos from their previous meeting back in February of 2024.

Ellis lost despite a true team effort on offense, the best among them being Natalee North, who went 6 for 11 en route to 15 points and eight rebounds. Isabella Eck also deserves some recognition as she posted her first block of the season.

Railroaders

Assists (Career)

01/23/25 vs Russell	10
01/21/25 vs Smith Center	8
12/15/23 vs Ellinwood	8
12/04/23 vs St. John	8
12/01/23 @ Hill City	8

Even though they lost, Ellis was working as a unit and finished the game with ten assists. That's the most assists they've posted since the start of last season.

Multiple players turned in solid performances to lead Russell to victory, but perhaps none more so than Norah Mooney, who went 8 of 13 on her way to 21 points along with five assists and three steals. Mooney is on a roll when it comes to steals, as she's now grabbed two or more in the last five games she's played. The team also got some help courtesy of Kelvie Reeves, who almost dropped a double-double on nine points and ten assists.

Ellis now has a losing record at 5-6. As for Russell, their record is now 4-7.

Ellis has already played their next game, a 52-41 loss against Norton on the 25th. As for Russell, they also wasted no time getting back out on the court and have already played their next matchup, a 49-41 defeat against Thomas More Prep-Marian on the 25th.