The term "grinder" has come into use in recent years to describe a basketball game in which neither team is able to get into any kind of offensive flow; a game which is marred by numerous turnovers for both teams; a game in which shooting percentages are very low; a game which is low in scoring; a game which is generally difficult to enjoy for both players and fans.

We saw one of those games last night. The ACGC and Woodward-Granger girls were locked in a duel that can only be described as a grinder--eventually won by the Hawks, 32-30. The two week holiday break probably added to the frustration felt by everyone involved. Even though teams practice during the break, two weeks without playing a game can cause rustiness and inefficiency.

Both teams shot 29% from the floor for the game, had a minimum of twenty turnovers each, and generally could never get into any kind of rhythm. Even though the Chargers outscored the Hawks from the field, 21 to 16, W-G beat the Chargers from the free throw line, 16 to 9, which proved to be the difference in the game. ACGC sent the Hawks to the line 27 times, while the Chargers had just 14 chances at the charity stripe.

The game was close throughout, with neither team able to pull away. W-G had taken a 13-10 lead with a minute and a half remaining in the first half when Kylie Young knocked down a three ball and a two pointer on consecutive possessions to give the Chargers a 15-14 lead at the intermission. The game saw ten lead changes with the Hawks largest lead at six points, 21-15, with two minutes left in the third quarter. The Chargers largest lead was with four minutes remaining in the game when they went ahead by a 28-24 margin.

After the Hawks recaptured the lead at 29-28 with 1:40 to go, Jadeyn Carrick's basket gave ACGC a one point advantage at 30-29 with 47 seconds remaining. Emma Anderson was tough for W-G down the stretch, as she scored the Hawks final seven points including a field goal to make it 31-30 with thirteen seconds to go. The Chargers had a chance on their final posession, but Katelyn Sharlau's block of Kennedy Young's shot ended any chance of a miracle finish for the Chargers. After a Charger foul Anderson added a free throw to make the final 32-30.

No Charger scored in double figures, as Carrrick led the team with eight points. The Young girls, Kennedy and Kylie, each had five points. Carrick also led the team in rebounds with six, while "G" Hoover had three assists. Kylie Young led in steals with three.

The loss gives the Chargers a 6-5 record for the season, including a 4-4 mark in conference play. No time to rest for the girls, as they will play again today when Exira-Elkhorn-Kimballton comes to town for an afternoon doubleheader. The girls will take the floor at 3 PM with the boys game to follow.

Score by quarter:

W-G 6 8 8 10--32

ACGC 7 8 6 9--30

Box Score: REB

FG 3PT FT O-D AST STL TP

Fuller 1-2 0-0 2-3 0-1 0 0 4

Campbell 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0 0

Largent 1-4 0-0 0-2 0-1 0 0 2

JHoover 0-4 0-1 2-2 2-1 1 3 2

O'Brien 1-4 0-2 1-2 0-2 0 0 2

KyYoung 2-5 0-2 1-2 1-2 1 3 5

Carrick 2-7 0-2 4-4 2-4 1 0 8

GHoover 1-4 0-2 0-0 2-2 3 1 2

KeYoung 2-5 1-2 0-1 0-3 1 1 5

Embleton 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 1 0