Springs Valley Community High School

The Springs Valley girls' basketball team opened its season in style on Saturday, beating Class 1A No. 8 Wood Memorial 40-38 at home. Despite leading 19-17 at halftime, the Blackhawks had to overcome a 27-22 deficit at the end of the third quarter to get the victory. They outscored the Trojans 18-11 in the fourth quarter to make it happen. A trio of juniors led the way for Valley in the victory. Maci Eckerty put up 14 points, making a pair of 3-pointers in the process. She also had seven steals, two rebounds, and an assist. Jordyn Land put up 10 points on 50 percent shooting from the field, also pulling down six rebounds and tallying an assist. Maddie Carnes nearly had a double-double, going for 10 points and eight rebounds as well as three assists. Their junior classmates Kynleigh Dalton and Josie Robison pitched in as well. The former had five points, three assists, three rebounds, and three steals. The latter had two assists and a steal. Gracie Breedlove scored one point, grabbed one rebound, and had two steals. Freshman Kenna McNeely had a rebound in her varsity debut. Kadee McGuire also made her varsity debut, grabbing a rebound. Class 1A No. 6 Springs Valley (1-0) holds serve with the win, but the Blackhawks will be tested once again in their next game. On Thursday they'll travel to Ferdinand to take on Forest Park, trying to defeat the Rangers for a second season in a row after four consecutive losses in the series.