Byron beats back Dixon in Big Northern West clash

By Chris Johnson

Reporter

BYRON – The Big Northern West, currently under siege by the Rockford Lutheran Lady Crusaders, have a challenger for the conference title, as the Byron Lady Tigers continue their winning ways, following a 16-point win over the Dixon Duchesses, 45-29, on Thursday, Jan. 14.

The Lady Tigers offense has continued developing throughout the 2015-2016 winter sports season, as they pumped in 14 points in back-to-back quarters and dropped Dixon back in the standings with the win.

After holding the Duchesses to just five points in the opening frame, Byron allowed Dixon to threaten in the second, after scoring twelve points in the frame.

At the half, though, Byron held the double digit lead, 28-17, one they would never relinquish.

Lexi Devries and Sarah Hopkins helped lead the way, through the first half of play for Byron.

In the third period, Dixon could only score five points, as Byron began to pull away, doubling up on their guests, scoring eleven in the period and taking the 39-22 lead into the fourth quarter.

Dixon outplayed Byron in the final period, scoring seven points, while allowing their hosts just six, on two field goal attempts and a successful free throw try.

Byron still held on for the Big Northern West win, 45-29.

Devries and Bailey Burrows paced the Lady Tigers with twelve points each. Paige Holloway tacked on eleven for Byron.

For Dixon, Provo scored eight points with Scheidegger and Schmall scoring six each.

Byron plays host to Stillman Valley on Wednesday, Jan. 20 before they prepare for a conference-affecting showdown, at Rockford Lutheran, on Friday, Jan. 22.

The road swing continues for Byron on Jan. 26 as they travel to Oregon for a game against the Lady Hawks, before they return home for back-to-back matches against Rock Falls on Jan. 28 and Mendota on Feb. 2.

The 2015-2016 regular season comes to a close for Byron on Friday, Feb. 5, in a road game at Dixon.

The Lady Tigers start the Class 2A Regional the week of Feb. 8.

Oregon and North Boone will host the opening round of the tournament, with the winners converging on Byron High School for the Sectional, beginning the week of Feb. 15.

The winners from Sub-Sectional A meet up with the winners from Sub-Sectional B, with Seneca and Wilmington asked to host the first round games.

The 2015-2016 Girls’ Basketball Champion will be crowned at Redbird Arena on the grounds of Illinois State University in Normal.

Winnebago’s Kiah Garrigan tries to steal a rebound from Byron’s Rachel Bonnell (15) and Bailey Burrows (20) in the first quarter during their game in Winnebago Monday, Jan. 11. Their 64-53 win put them at 7-1 in the BNC. Photo by Randy Stukenberg