By Steve Raymond

ET Sports Report

For the fifth time in school history, the St. Anthony Lady Bulldogs are champions of the National Trail Conference.

They secured that title early Saturday afternoon after posting a convincing 59-36 victory over North Clay in Louisville.

The Lady Bulldogs completed NTC play with a perfect 8-0 record.

“It’s taken a while to get this fifth one,” St. Anthony coach Aaron Rios said. “Too bad there’s no trophy or plaque for the girls. It’s quite an accomplishment to go undefeated in your league. I’m proud of this group. This means a lot to us. But there’s still plenty of season left and we’ve still got some work to do.”

St. Anthony never trailed against the Lady Cardinals. After Matia Price hit a jumper from the wing to get North Clay to within 7-6, the Lady Bulldogs responded with a 12-2 run to end the opening quarter.

Nancy Ruholl started the run with a three-pointer. Anna Faber scored twice, Stacie Vonderheide converted a turnover into a basket and Addy Rios capped the scoring surge with a shot from long range to increase the St. Anthony lead to 19-8 after the opening eight minutes.

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By Steve Raymond

ET Sports Report

St. Anthony made only three shots in the first half and shot a frigid 16 percent.

But despite that cold shooting, one minute into the third quarter the Bulldogs trailed by just four points.

That’s when Altamont showed why they are considered one of the best Class 1A teams in the state and ranked No. 3.

The Indians went on an 11-0 scoring run and were never threatened again.

When the final horn sounded, Altamont owned a 51-32 victory, and for the second year in a row, hoisted the championship trophy of the National Trail Conference Tournament, which was being played for 87^th time.

“There’s a reason they are 19-3 and No. 3 in the state,” said St. Anthony coach Cody Rincker. “That is a very good basketball team. I don’t know if our schedule will be any tougher than the team we played tonight. My hat’s off to John (Niebrugge) and his team. They were definitely the better team tonight.”

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Nancy Ruholl and Lucy Fearday combined to score 30 points Thursday night, helping the St. Anthony Lady Bulldogs post a 42-29 win at St. Elmo/Brownstown and remain unbeaten in the National Trail Conference.

The Lady Bulldogs led throughout. They were up 13-9 after the first period, 20-13 at halftime and 30-25 heading into the final eight minutes.

Ruholl went 5-for-6 from the line in the fourth quarter and Fearday added four points, helping SAHS outscore SEB 12-4 down the stretch to secure the victory.

Ruholl finished with a game-high 17 points. Fearday added 13 and Addy Rios chipped in with eight.

The Lady Bulldogs improved to 22-5 on the season and 7-0 in the NTC. They will be back in action at home Monday night, hosting Tuscola.

Anna Faber scored five points in the overtime session, helping the St. Anthony Lady Bulldogs come away with a 60-56 win at home Saturday over a very good Pana team.

The game was close throughout. It was tied 11-11 after the opening eight minutes. Nancy Ruholl scored seven points and Lucy Fearday added six more, as the Lady Bulldogs took a 28-22 lead at halftime. It was still a six-point spread, 42-36, heading into the fourth period.

Pana’s Chloe Ashcraft scored 11 points in the final quarter, helping the Lady Panthers outscore SAHS 16-10, tie the game at 52-52 and force the extra session.

Faber hit a jumper and added three free throws in the OT and Stacie Vonderheide scored four points to help secure the victory.

Ashcraft and Anna Beyers combined to score 42 of Pana’s points. Ashcraft finished with 22 and Beyers had 20, but the Lady Panthers dipped to 19-8 on the season.

Fearday had a game-high 26 points for St. Anthony. Ruholl finished with 12 points and Faber and Vonderheide both scored 10.

The Lady Bulldogs improved to 21-5 on the season. They will be back in action at home Monday night, hosting North Clay in a National Trail Conference contest.