On the 23rd of January the Bengals stands became packed for the first girls crosstown game of the season. The pep band roared as our student section filled full of jerseys while Capitals overflowed with frat boys. Both sides picked fights with each other, planning to be victorious. This game soon became a battle between the top two teams in the state.

From start to finish the game appeared as a clash between our very own Jamie Pickens and Capitals Taylor Sullivan. The two forward players were on each other throughout the game; trying to stop one another from scoring each time down the court.

Our lady Bengals fought hard for the duration of the game; just after the first period the score rested for a short amount of time at 8-7, Bengals ahead. And at halftime Capital made their way to the lead by one basket at 22-20. After that first period we fell, but fortunately clawed our way ahead one more time in the games final frame. Our very own Paige Aasved scored the Bengals a three, putting us in the lead by one at 40-39. Thankfully our ladies never let the Bruins get too far out of reach from them.

With 2:31 left in the game our lady Bengal Kamden Hilborn went in for the lay up; putting us even further in the lead at 44-41. Unfortunately the Bruins inched forward once again, but before you knew it Hilborn tied up the game. When the scoreboard had just :03.6 left on clock the Bruins thought their chance of winning was over. Kamden put it up one last time before the buzzer, it bounced up off the rim and appeared as though it would go in. Although to Capitals luck, the ball just barely missed and the game went into overtime.

Sadly, our Bengals had one of their most unfavorable shooting nights in a long time, while the Bruins had an incredible night rebounding. The Bruins grabbed 42 points compared to the Bengals 24. Coach Peterson envisioned our girls winning, “If you take 30 more shots than the other team, you expect to win,” he described. “But both of us coaches knew it would come down to execution.” Unfortunately Capital executed this game a little better than our girls.

After the overtime brawl, the final score in the jungle was 63-49. This game caused Helena to fall in the conference at just 8-1, while Helena Capital is still up at 9-0. Our girls fought hard through this entire game and season yet far, but luckily there is still time left in the season for more successes. Hopefully we will be able to cheer on our Bengals once again at state!