The United South Central Rebel girls’ basketball team had their first game of the season this past Thursday, Dec. 1, when they hosted the Madelia Blackhawks.

Madelia came out on top in the contest, winning 51-37.

“This was our first game after only seven practices,” coach Taylor Ovrebo says. “We had girls missing practices due to sickness and holidays.”

Taylor Schroeder led the team with 13 points. Olivia Bungum, an eighth grader playing in her very first varsity game, scored 11 points.

“We struggled in the half court offense and got beat up on the offensive boards,” Ovrebo said. “Madelia is a very strong team but we had some stretches of the game where we executed team offense and team defensive principles.”

Kelsie Chapman and Maddie Dallman each added four points to the USC total, while Lauren Hansen had three points and Ivy O’Rourke had two points.

“Overall, we competed hard and now we know where our base is, to build from,” the coach added.