FORRESTON — The Rochelle Lady Hub varsity basketball team faced its toughest challenge of the Forreston Thanksgiving Tournament on Monday, falling 67-24 against Winnebago and moving to 2-3 on the season. Seniors Josie Lundquist and Adriannah Davis-Carter each scored eight points for the Lady Hubs, who finish the tournament against Stillman Valley on Tuesday.

The Lady Indians dominated the first quarter, using their full-court pressure on defense to force several Rochelle turnovers as well as their combination of size and length on offense to grab multiple offensive rebounds and score easy baskets under the rim. The Lady Hubs trailed 19-4 after the first quarter before finding themselves down 36-12 at the half. Senior guard Miyah Brown was the spark for the Lady Indians, scoring 17 points to lead Winnebago in the victory.

“The biggest thing for us will be to not dwell on this game,” head coach Ryan McQuade said. “It was one game and as I go into the locker room, I’m going to tell the girls that this game’s over with and we’re moving on to Stillman Valley. I thought Josie played a nice game tonight on both ends of the floor, especially against a team with a lot of size and length. Josie may not be the tallest girl at her position, but she battles down there I’ll take her over anybody.”

Rochelle gained some momentum in the third quarter, with sophomore Alivia Henkel sinking two mid-range shots while Lundquist and Davis-Carter combined for three made field goals. The Lady Hubs trailed 51-22 after three quarters, with junior Torrin Nantz making the team’s final basket of the evening in the fourth quarter on a contested finish at the rim.

Saturday

The Rochelle Lady Hub varsity basketball team faced Forreston and Stockton on Saturday, splitting the two Forreston Thanksgiving Tournament matchups to move to 2-2 overall. Rochelle opened the day with a 34-21 victory over Forreston behind a double-double from senior Josie Lundquist (11 points and 12 rebounds). Sophomore Alivia Henkel added six points and six rebounds, while senior Lucy Bunger added five points and three rebounds.

The Lady Hubs fought hard against Stockton, falling 31-29 despite a double-double from sophomore Alivia Henkel (10 points and 17 rebounds). Senior Josie Lundquist totaled nine points and five rebounds, while senior Zoey Tabor recorded four points and five rebounds.

“Our defense throughout the day was how we were able to stay in both games,” head coach Ryan McQuade said. “The unfortunate part was we only shot 25 percent from the field against Forreston and 23 percent from the field against Stockton. We aren’t going to win many games doing that, but the identify of our team is that we battle and I saw a lot of that on Saturday.”

JV

The Rochelle Lady Hub JV basketball team remained unbeaten with victories over Forreston and Stockton in the Forreston Thanksgiving Tournament on Saturday. The Lady Hubs defeated Forreston 40-11 before beating Stockton 39-24. Rochelle improved to 4-0 with the wins.

“These girls have truly shown teamwork, drive and fight throughout this tournament,” head coach Katie Roush said. “Every single athlete is giving 110 percent effort on the floor.”

Rochelle tipped off the tournament with a 33-19 win against Eastland on Thursday. Freshman Kendyl Darby led the team with 10 points, while junior Bailey Jackson added nine points and freshman Abby Metzger recorded eight points to help the Lady Hubs stay undefeated.

"Coming out with a strong defense in each quarter kept us in command," head coach Katie Roush said. "Every girl on the court gave 110-percent effort not only on defense but under the basketball on offense. I'm looking forward to the rest of the Forreston tournament."