By CHARLES PENDELL

charles.pendell@mcleansborotimesleader.com

HARRISBURG — Even with about two weeks off between games, Hamilton County’s seventh-grade Lady Foxes really didn’t show any signs of slowing down on the basketball court.

The Lady Kits picked up a first-place finish in the second annual New Year’s Basketball Tournament at Harrisburg Junior High on Saturday.

Up first was Pope County, and the girls in green came away with a 23-14 victory. Then the Junior Lady Foxes turned right around to take on host Harrisburg, using their quickness and ball-handling skills to upend the host Lady Bullpups 26-21 for the first-place trophy.

Against Pope County, the Lady Junior Kits scampered out to a 12-0 lead.

Megan Rubenacker got the Lady Foxes going with a trey from the corner, then teammate Dana Rubenacker took over, picking up two steals while cashing in two free throws and a layup for a 7-0 advantage.

Lady Fox Rebecca Moseley continued the run, driving down the court and, hearing a Pope County player behind her, stopping to let the player go by, then scoring on a 5-foot jumper.

Dana Rubenacker hit one free toss and center Mackenzie Adams two more to close out the 12-0 run.

Trailing 14-6 at the half, Pope County came out in the third quarter and closed the gap to 14-10 with two quick scores inside. But Dana Rubenacker scored a free toss and got an outlet from Adams for a layup as the Lady Kits held a 17-12 lead after three.

In the fourth quarter, Megan Rubenacker and Adams teamed for three buckets and a 23-14 lead with 1:15 left.

A Pope County turnover gave the ball back to the Lady Kits, who ran out the clock to preserve the win.

Dana Rubenacker led the way with eight points, Megan Rubenacker had seven, Adams six and Moseley two.

The Lady Kits were six-of-eight at the free throw line.

After about a 20-minute break, the Lady Kits returned to the court to take on the host Lady Bullpups.

Harrisburg went inside to get this battle going and took an early 5-2 lead, but the Lady Kits used their quickness and ball handling to regain the lead at 11-9 after one.

Guard Dana Rubenacker scored seven points in the opening frame, then added three steals and two layups in the second quarter to give the Lady Kits a 15-11 lead at the half.

The third quarter belonged to the Lady Kits as Megan Rubenacker drained a trey and Adams hit a free throw to move the margin to 19-13 going into the fourth period.

The Lady Kits then went inside to their size in the fourth as Megan Rubenacker found Bailey Shreve for two, then made a theft and dished inside to Adams for the banker.

Dana Rubenacker hit two free tosses and Megan Rubenacker one freebie to move the Lady Foxes’ lead to 26-19 with 1:09 left.

Harrisburg scored one more time with 35 ticks left, but the Lady Kits held the ball and played keep-away until time ran out, picking up the 26-21 win.

Dana Rubenacker had the hot hand in the second contest with 15 points. Megan Rubenacker added six points, Adams three and Shreve two. Celeste Ellis, Massie Balsover, Vannessa Scropka, Angel Maramba, Moseley and Biggerstaff played but didn’t score.

“The girls really played pretty good, considering they haven’t played in about two weeks,” Junior Lady Fox coach Vuel York said. “All the girls worked real hard and they have shown improvement as the season went along. They still have some things to get better at, but they are hustling and working together as a team.”

It was a good tournament for his team, York said.

“We don’t play the teams in this tournament on our schedule, so it is nice to play different teams and it is nice for these girls to come down here and compete and pick up a trophy for their season,” he said. “Hopefully, we can win our last two games and finish 14-4, but both games will be tough. I’m very proud of my girls.”

The seventh-grade squad improved to 12-4 with two games left. The last home game is Jan. 7 at 6 p.m. against Zeigler-Royalton.