The Park High Rangers varsity girls’ basketball team faced a tough challenge Jan. 28 against Jefferson, falling 14-69 in a difficult game that had been rescheduled due to bad weather. Missing two key players, Maria Turck and Annie Keyes, due to injuries, the Rangers knew they had an uphill battle from the start.

Jefferson took control early, applying strong defense and scoring quickly. Park High struggled to break through their defense. By halftime, the Rangers trailed significantly but continued to give their best effort.

Despite the score, Park High kept fighting. They worked hard on defense, hustled for rebounds, and took every opportunity to put points on the board. The crowd cheered when they managed to sink a few shots, showing their support for the team’s determination.

Most of Park High’s games this season have been close, making this large loss unusual. The Rangers have played strong teams before, but this was one of the toughest matchups so far.

“It was a tough game without some of our key players, so we had to learn to play a little better as a team. Even though it was a little rough I’d say we’ve gotten it figured out at this point,” said junior Chase Vermillion about the game. 

In the end, Jefferson’s strong offense proved too much, and the game ended with a 14-69 final score. While it wasn’t the outcome the Rangers had hoped for, they showed incredible effort and teamwork. With lessons learned, they look ahead to their next game, ready to improve as a team.