Despite a ton of excitement surrounding the season finale against Byron Center on Friday, the actual game itself didn’t end up going FHC’s way. In a 74-30 loss to powerhouse Byron Center, the girls could never get a solid footing to start, leading the Bulldogs to take advantage of hot shooting from deep and some great fastbreaks. 

To start, freshman Jordan Koning put in a couple of nice baskets in close for FHC, scoring the first four points for the Rangers. The game looked to be a close one at the beginning of the game, but Byron pulled away after sophomore Maggie Sneider put in a basket following Jordan’s two. After that, the Bulldogs went on a fast 7-0 run, going up 20-6 right before the end of the first quarter. Junior Maya Holser hit back-to-back shots for FHC, but the Bulldogs just kept scoring. Now down 28-10 at the end of the first, FHC needed a great second quarter to get back into the game.

Some solid looks at the rim to start the second quarter were just what the girls needed; however, none of the shots went in. These misses from close range would prove to be a great break for Byron because right after those missed shots, the Bulldogs went on yet another 8-0 run. It just seemed like the undefeated Bulldogs would pull away yet again in the second matchup this year. Byron did just that, holding FHC to four points the whole second quarter. A 47-17 deficit at halftime was not what the Lady Rangers had in mind before the game.

The second half wasn’t much better for the girls, as Byron Center kept its defensive pressure on all game long while scoring with ease on the offensive end. Senior Theryn Hallock scored a couple of baskets in the second half and finished with her season’s lowest game in scoring. Although the 74-30 loss hurts the Rangers’ confidence heading into the opening round of districts on Monday, the ladies are confident to make a run this postseason.

Finishing the season at 9-11, the girls will face Northview to open up the district playoffs on Monday. A familiar opponent to FHC, the Wildcats have lost both matchups to the Rangers this season. The game will be at home on Monday, February 28 at 7 p.m.