Charger Numbers Add Up to Opening Girls' Win

Basketball season openers aren't always real pretty. Last night's Charger 70-39 win over Madrid was a typical opener, as both teams committed numerous turnovers. ACGC was tagged with thirty one, while Madrid committed at least that many. However, this was Madrid's fourth game and game number one for the Chargers. The number of TO's will decrease as the season goes on.

The numbers that count the most were impressive for the home team. The seventy points are the most scored in an opener for any ACGC girls' team. The Chargers shot an impressive 52% from the field that included 40% from three point range. Seventeen assists were dished out and the team came up with twenty two steals.

Balanced scoring also contributed to the win, as four Chargers hit for double figures. Seniors Emma Kaye McClain and Kylie Young led the team with 17 and 14 points respectively. Junior post player Alaina Bunde netted 11 and freshman Mersadez Richter made her debut with 10 points.

The Chargers never trailed, as Young hit a three pointer after a minute of play to give them a lead they would not surrender. From there the Chargers took control of the game, jumping out to a 9-1 lead in the first four minutes of play. By quarters' end ACGC had a 17-7 lead, and expanded that to a 37-19 halftime lead. At that point there was little doubt as to the outcome. The teams played evenly in the third quarter before the home team outscored the Tigers 19-6 in the final frame.

Charger second year coach Brad Baudler was largely pleased with his team's performance. "Our shooting was good tonight and it was nice to see four players in double figures. I thought we played unselfish basketball, and the defense looked good at times, but we need to clean some things up. We need to cut down on the turnovers, reverse the ball on offense, look to score first, and handle pressure better. But it was great to get our first win."

The Chargers will host perennial WCAC power Des Moines Christian in their next outing on Tuesday, with a 6 PM scheduled start.

Score by quarter: ;

Madrid 7 12 12 8---39

ACGC 17 20 12 21--70

Individual stats: total points-rebounds-assist-steals TCarlson: 1-0-1-1 Dorsey: 6-3-5-0 Young: 14-8-3-6 McClain: 17-7-3-6 Bunde: 11-8-2-5 KCarlson: ; 0-0-0-0 Carney: 1-0-1-3; Van Meter:

0-0-0-0 Coffman: 2-0-1-1 O'Brien: 6-1-1-2 Richter: 10-3-2-3 Byars: 2-0-0-0