The Class 1A Annawan Bravettes were tasked with taking on 3A Davenport Assumption at the Iowa-Illinois IHMVCU Shootout Saturday at Wharton Fieldhouse in Moline.
Six teams from each of the two states were matched up to play according to their respective rankings of one through six. The Bravettes were ranked second among the six Illinois teams and Davenport Assumption was ranked second among the Iowa teams.
The Bravettes gave the Knights a good run for their money, but came up short in a 48-43 loss. It should also be noted that Annawan was playing without their leading scorer, Bella VanOpdorp, who has been hampered by a sprained ankle.
The two teams played to an 11-11 tie after the first quarter and Assumption held a slim 21-19 lead at the half. Maddy Nigey led the Knights with 13 first half points and Zoey Vance scored 10 for the Bravettes.
Annawan outscored Assumption 14-13 in the third frame, but the Knights still held a 34-33 lead with a quarter left to play. Elaina Manuel made two 3-pointers for the Bravettes and Vance added four more to her total.
Assumption topped Annawan 14-10 in the final frame to claim bragging rights over their Illinois opponent. Nigey scored 10 more points for the Knights in the second half.
Nigey topped all scorers with 23 points and was named the MVP of the game. Vance led Annawan with 16 points, Olivia Goodley had nine and Manuel added eight.
“All things considered we handled it great and gained a ton of respect from the fans in attendance,” said Annawan Coach Jason Burkiewicz. “We played five players the entire game to their eight and they brought a good pressure man to man defense,” he added.
The No. 3 Bravettes are now 16-4 and the Knights drop to 5-8 on the season.
