By Steve Morris

It was as if the diameter of the rim was shrunk by a few inches for Rush City's game against Onamia on Dec. 12.

The girls have had a difficult time finding a shooting grove this season and their game against Onamia was no different.

The girls shot a feeble 2 for 31 from inside the arc and 4 of 13 from 3-point land.

"Poor shooting did us in again -- 13 percent is a tough pill to swallow," head coach Jeremy Albright said. "We are much better shooters than what we are showing."

In direct correlation to the poor shooting was the outcome of the game -- the girls lost by a score of 25-50.

On a positive note, the girls were on the mark from the free throw line, hitting 9 of 14. The nine points from the free throw line wasn't nearly enough to beat the Panthers.

Junior Laura Kay played excellent defense on Onamia's best player, Albright said.

"I was pleased with Laura Kay's defensive performance -- that is a girl who always comes ready to work," Albright said.

Senior Amber Hoffman accounted for nearly half the team's total points. She finished the game with 12 points and seven rebounds.

Against Mora on Dec. 18, things picked up, but not enough to get a win. The Tigers fell to Mora at home 46-68.

Against Mora, the girls shot 11 for 38 on the game and 9 for 10 from the free throw line.

Hoffman led the team with 23 points and seven rebounds. Senior Janet Kemen was an animal on the boards, pulling in a total of eight rebounds.

"Our offense is starting to show signs of life," Albright said.