The Vermillion Tanagers hosted the Tri-Valley Mustang girls and basketball teams in a doubleheader on Tuesday, December 21st. The Tanagers won both games. Tri-Valley girls lost 47-37, and the boys team lost 70-35.
Vermillion 47, Tri-Valley 37 – Girls
After falling behind 15-2 early in the second quarter, the Tri-Valley Mustangs couldn’t get out of that hole. The Mustangs pulled within seven points, 15-8, with 5:00 to play in the second quarter, but Vermillion pushed the lead back to 13 by halftime, 23-10.
Tri-Valley got the deficit down to single digits at 29-20 with 1:00 to play in the third quarter. But again the Tanagers extended the lead back to 13 points by the end of the quarter, 33-20. That lead grew to a game-high 17 points, 39-22, with 6:00 to play in the game. Tri-Valley couldn’t get any closer than the 10 points at the end of the game.
The Mustangs were led by Lauren Grinde with 11 points and Maddie Wenzel with eight points.
Vermillion 70, Tri-Valley 35 – Boys
The Vermillion Tanager boys shot over 50% beyond the arc, and the defense forced 26 Tri-Valley turnovers in their 70-35 win over the Mustangs. Vermillion led 16-8 at the end of the first quarter, and the lead continued to grow each quarter. Tri-Valley trailed 33-20 at halftime and 49-26 at the end of the third quarter.
The Mustangs shot 33% (13-40) from the field, 33% (3-9) from three-point area, and 75% (6-8) from the free-throw line. Vermillion finished 43% (27-63), 53% (9-17) on three-pointers, and 54% (7-13) from the free-throw line. The Tanagers had 12 steals and 29 rebounds, while Tri-Valley had six steals and 27 rebounds.
Cory McDonald finished the game with 12 points, four rebounds, two steals, and two assists. Brayden Oyen had nine points, two rebounds, and two assists. Connor Christensen added five points, 10 rebounds, and three blocked shots. Lance DeWitt had four points.
The Mustang girls will host Garretson in a make-up game on Tuesday, December 28th.