USC’s Lexi Johnson was fouled while driving to the basket during the Rebels’ game against JCC.

The United South Central girls basketball team ran into a tough Jackson County Central team in the opening game of the Blue Earth Area Holiday Tournament on Wednesday afternoon, Dec. 29.

The Rebels lost by a score of 90-28.

“We ran into a very talented JCC team,” coach Paul Meyer said after the game. “They shot very well in the first half (6 of 10 from 3-point range and 17 of 28 from 2-point range), and with their great shooting we gave them way too many easy opportunities and they capitalized on them.”

Taylor Schroeder led the Rebels in scoring with eight points. She also had three rebounds.

Hannah Meyer had five points and three rebounds, and Macy Zebro had four points.

Maddie Dallman had three points and three rebounds.

Lexi Johnson, Skylar Niebuhr, Kelsie Chapman and Maya Zebro all had two points each.

“Offensively we need to get more opportunities and get those shots up,” coach Meyer said. “We made some good defensive adjustments at half time and the team played well over the second half of the game.”

The coach added that the team is looking forward to getting back on the court the next day (Thursday, Dec. 30) and continue the play they had in the second half.

WEM 55, USC 19

The United South Central girls basketball team traveled to Waterville on Tuesday, Dec. 21, to take on the Waterville-Elysian-Morristown Buccaneers.

The Rebels suffered a 55-19 loss at the hands of the Bucs.

“This was a game we knew we would have to handle the press, and at times we did,” coach Paul Meyer said. “But, WEM did a great job of creating scoring opportunities for themselves and stretched the lead early and made us play catch up all night.”

The coach added that the Buccaneers also did a great job of pressuring the Rebels at half court, which forced a lot of turnovers and put the USC girls out of any kind of rhythm.

“WEM was very aggressive on loose balls and won those battles,” coach Meyer said. “We need to stay aggressive and protect the ball and give ourselves more scoring opportunities.”

Maya Zebro led the Rebels in scoring with seven points. She also led the team in rebounds with six.

Skylar Niebuhr and Elizabeth Meyer each added three points. Taylor Schroeder, Lexi Johnson and Hannah Meyer each had two points. Johnson also had four rebounds.

“Even though we allowed 55 points we did some nice things on defense and working the boards,” the coach said. “This was a big step up from last Friday, and it is an area we need to continue to improve and keep taking steps forward.”

The Rebels’ (0-6) next outing will be to participate in the Blue Earth Area Holiday Tournament on Wednesday and Thursday, Dec. 29 and 30. After that they have a break until after New Years.

The Rebels will host Leroy-Ostrander on Tuesday, Jan. 4, and Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton on Friday, Jan. 7.