Vina upsets Phillips in area tourney
The Vina Red Devils girls basketball team roared back from two earlier losses this season to the Phillips Bears, securing a resounding 44-30 victory in the first round of the Class 1A Area 13 tournament. The win marks a significant step forward for the Red Devils, who now face a tough challenge against the state’s second-ranked team, Marion County, in their next game.
Vina’s success was fueled by a balanced attack and a tenacious defensive effort. Khylee Brooks led the charge with a dominant doubledouble performance, scoring 11 points and grabbing an impressive 14 rebounds. Seventhgrader Miley Pannell also made a significant impact, contributing 10 points and playing stellar defense. Fellow seventh-grader Cecilia Rowbottom was singled out for her defensive prowess, holding Phillips’ leading scorer to a mere five points throughout the entire game.
Claire McCarley added nine points to the Vina tally, while Braxtyn Quinn chipped in with eight. Makenzie Elrod rounded out the scoring for the Red Devils with six points.
The victory serves as sweet revenge for Vina, who had previously fallen to Phillips twice during the regular season. Their determined performance in the tournament sets the stage for an exciting matchup against Marion County. The Red Devils will need to bring their best game if they hope to upset the highly ranked Marion County squad and continue their tournament quest.
