Basketball Recap: Avery Rice's Big Game Can't Quite Lead Badger over Mcdonald

Badger was not able to break out of their rough patch on Saturday as the team picked up their third straight defeat. They fell 65-53 to the McDonald Blue Devils. While losing is never fun, the Braves can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' Ohio basketball rankings (they are ranked 331st, while the Blue Devils are ranked 162nd).

Badger lost despite a true team effort on offense, the best among them being Avery Rice, who went 8 for 17 on her way to 21 points and five steals. That's the most steals Rice has posted since back in December of 2023. Gabriella Miller was another key player, putting up nine points along with seven assists and five boards.

McDonald was led to victory by Gracie Callow and Juliana Krumpak. Callow went 11 of 19 on her way to 26 points and five rebounds, while Krumpak almost dropped a triple-double on 21 points, 11 rebounds, and nine assists. Callow is crushing it when it comes to points: she's scored at least 16 every time she's taken the court this season. The team also got some help courtesy of Gianna Costantino, who almost dropped a double-double on nine points and ten rebounds.

Badger's loss dropped their record down to 1-3. As for McDonald, their victory was their third straight on the road, which pushed their record up to 3-1.

Badger didn't take long to hit the court again: they've already played their next matchup, a 66-29 defeat against Grand Valley on the 9th. As for McDonald, they also wasted no time getting back out on the court and have already played their next game, a 50-40 win against Heartland Christian on the 9th.