MARIENVILLE – Tidioute had a couple of tough games in the Forest Tip-Off Tournament, but overall a very encouraging Friday and Saturday.

The Lady Bulldogs fell to WCCS 46-27 in Friday’s opener and dropped a close one, 31-30 to Union City in Saturday’s consolation game.

WCCS jumped out to a 16-6 lead after the first quarter and that proved to be too much for Tidioute to overcome on Friday. Emma Marino had a big game for the winners, scoring a game-high 24 points – 20 in the first half.

Freshman Nakeisha Krouse had a strong performance for Tidioute with a team-high 12 points.

“First game jitters,” noted Tidioute coach Christy Valentine. “Excited to see them on the floor finally. We stepped it up in the second half and were able to contain Emma Marino to only four points in the second half with double teams, but the damage was already done. Greysen Fors stepped it up defensively off the bench in the second half and Nakeisha Krouse had six steals.”

Valentine also noted that the offense ‘wasn’t clicking,’ and that there’s ‘lots to work on.’

In Saturday’s consolation game, Union City outscored TCCS 14-4 in the second quarter to take a 10-point halftime lead, forcing the Lady Bulldogs to play catch up.

“Poor shooting and defense in the first half, as well as foul trouble led to catch up in the fourth quarter,” Valentine said. “The bench stepped up but things did not start clicking again until late in the game.”

Lakin Krouse led the offense with 10 points, while freshman Kelsey Nuttal had 11 rebounds and Hannah Divido was named to the all-tournament team for her excellent work on defense.

Dawn Conant led UC with eight points.

“I’m excited to see the girls starting to come together and starting to learn a new style of game from a new coach with a new system,” Valentine said. “I’m looking forward to the beginning of the regular season.”

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Forest Area used an all-around effort to take home its tournament with a 38-26 win over Warren County Christian at in Saturday’s championship game.

Tournament MVP Glory Wagner had four points, five assists and four steals for the Lady Fires, while Jasmine Ginnery netted a team-best eight points. Emily Everett, Rose Trivett and Bianca Hetrick each added six points.

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UP NEXT

Tidioute: At Erie Bethel on Tuesday

WCCS: At Calvary Baptist on Tuesday

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Tidioute (27): N. Krouse 12 points, L. Krouse 6, Fors 4, Divido 3, Durstine 0, Nuttal 0

WCCS (46): E. Marino 24, Phelps 9, Brenner 8, Baker 4, Kerr 2, Sabella 0

By Quarters

WCCS   16  13   8    8 –  46

TCCS    6      7    8    6 –  27

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TCCS vs Union City

Tidioute (30): L. Krouse 10, Henderson 6, Nuttal 4, Divido 2, Durstine 2, N. Krouse 2

Union City (31): Conant 8, Thomas 7, Kinney 6, Drayer 6, Mattocks 6

By Quarters

TCCS            4   4   4   18 – 30

Union City     4  14    7   7 – 31