Ste. Gen Shows Top Form, Thrashes AV

By ERIC X. VICCARO

EVICCARO@STEGENHERALD.COM

PARK HILLS — Playing against schools from upper classes has certainly helped the Ste. Genevieve High School girls’ basketball team.

Earlier this season, the Dragons squared off with Class 5 Sikeston and Class 6 Jackson.

Ste. Genevieve put it all together this past Saturday at the 62nd Annual St. Francois County Rotary Club Shootout at Mineral Area College’s Sechrest Field House — thrashing Arcadia Valley to the tune of 82-34.

“Our mentality was different,” said Ste. Genevieve head coach Jordanna Walk-Robison. “The girls were hungry for it.”

The Dragons’ defense smothered Arcadia Valley. Girls dove onto the court going for 50-50 possessions, and the team effort was there in all phases.

Megan Aubuchon, Sydney Bumgardaner and Maci Reynolds were prolific on offense.

Aubuchon dropped in 22 points, including 10 successful field goals. Bumgardaner added 19 points (including three 3-pointers), and Reynolds had 18.

Assists proved to be the most endearing statistic of the game. Reynolds dished off 12 assists, Bumgardaner eight, Marysa Flieg six and Moore three. Overall, the Dragons had a whopping 32 assists.

The best part of a win like this was that every girl received playing time, which has been tough to come by during this COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic.

By the end of the first quarter, Ste. Genevieve (2-2 record) already had established a double-digit lead. The Dragons outscored the Tigers 27-12 in the second quarter, taking a commanding 52-26 lead at intermission.

The Dragons were relentless, adding 22 more points in the third quarter. Reynolds sank two free throws to give Ste. Genevieve a whopping 71-26 margin at the 2:55 mark of the frame.

Alison Braun scored on a follow in the fourth quarter, with the final differential proving to be the Dragons’ biggest lead.

Aubuchon and Bumgardaner both grabbed a team-best five rebounds, including two on the offensive glass for Megan. Abby Moore, Reynolds and Bumgardaner all swiped four steals.

The Ste. Genevieve-Arcadia Valley girls’ game was part of a daylong basketball bash — which also featured Eminence, St. Paul, West County, Potosi, North County and Gateway Legacy boys’ teams. Youth also took to the court for an exhibition.