Lady Bucs getting ready for Boylan

By Chris Johnson

REPORTER

An alternating win-loss record was working against the Belvidere Lady Bucs as they faced the Rockford East Lady E-Rabs to open the 2017 portion of the winter sports season. The 56-35 East win sent Belvidere spinning a game back behind the flock of teams chasing Rockford Boylan. East stayed right in the chase. Madilyn Hecox scored 20 points for Rockford East as Victoria Malone added 13 for the win.

East assumed control relatively early in the Friday, Jan. 6 NIC-10 meeting. Their 14 points score nearly eclipsed the second half total Belvidere worked towards. After one period of play, East had the edge 14-8.

The Lady Bucs found a defensive plan that slowed the East assault. The Lady E-Rabs could only put five points through the netting. Belvidere outscored their hosts by three in the period and pulled back to within a single-shot at the half.

The game intensity picked up for East in the third period as they surpassed their entire first half total in a single eight minute period. With the 21 points added to their total, they pushed the lead to 40-22 with the fourth to go.

Belvidere’s offense flowed a little more smoothly in the final minutes. They kept pace with the lingering East starters and the quality-replacements being used from the bench. East won the period 16-13 and held on for the NIC-10 win, 56-35.

The rivalry match with Belvidere North was played on Tuesday, Jan. 10. Details of that contest are unfortunately unavailable at this time. The Lady Bucs got their last chance to warm up for this Friday’s meeting with the conference-leading Boylan Lady Titans.

A non-conference meeting with Marengo in Boone County will be held on Monday, Jan. 16. The NIC-10 focus resumes a night later as the Lady J-Hawks visit the Lady Bucs.

The home stand runs for two more games for Belvidere. On Monday, Jan. 23 the Freeport Lady Pretzels arrive and on Thursday, Jan. 26 the Lady Bucs have to deal with the Hononegh Lady Indians.

A difficult final three-game stretch will have to be played through by Belvidere, and it all begins where 2017 tipped-off, at Rockford East. On Friday, Feb. 3 the Harlem Lady Huskies play host and on Thursday, Feb. 9 the regular season closes at Guilford.

Beginning the following Monday, the IHSA Selection Committee’s opening round games will be played in the State of Illinois Class 3A Girls’ Basketball Regional. Belvidere appears to be heading to Rockford Lutheran for its opening round games during the second week of February.