Eureka Lady Lions hold off Libby, secure Battle of Kootenai

Playing catchup all night, the Libby Loggers girls basketball team couldn’t rally past Eureka Tuesday night in a 46-38 loss.

Libby (0-3) trailed by 11 after one quarter, 12 at the half and 14 after three quarters.

But they cut the Lady Lions lead to seven twice in the fourth quarter.

Sophomore Rylee Delmas poured in 20 points for Libby and senior Madison Vincent scored eight. Senior Rachel Kosters scored four points while seniors Kaydence Stanek and Peyton Waggoner each had two points.

Delmas sparked a 7-0 run to begin the fourth with a steal and score. After another Lady Lions turnover, Waggoner scored to make it 36-26. Delmas rolled in a 3-pointer with 3:50 to play, prompting a Eureka timeout.

Brynn Kossman’s basket with 2:59 left stopped the bleeding for Eureka and made score 38-29. Mielyn Bozarth’s free throw made it 39-29, then Katlyn Chaney’s basket with 1:25 ensured Libby’s rally was over.

Eureka’s win made it the winner of the Battle of the Kootenai trophy. Junior guard Haidyn Guckenberg led Eureka with 14 points while Brynn Miller added 12.

The Loggers host Stevensville Friday. The freshman game tips off at 2 p.m. at the elementary school, followed by the junior varsity at 3:30 p.m. at the elementary school and the varsity at 6:30 p.m. at the high school.

    Libby's Maddy Vincent tries to slow down Eureka's Haidyn Guckenberg during their game in Libby Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2024. Guckenberg scored a team-high 15 points for the Lady Lions in a 46-38 win, securing the Battle of the Kootenai trophy. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)