62-55 winners for Hononegah over Belvidere as they remain on top of the NIC-10 conference.

Hononegah improves to 13-2 in NIC-10 conference play with a hard-fought, intense battle against Belvidere winning 62-55.

Hononegah Girls Basketball Head Coach Jason Brunke stated, "Belvidere is a talented, tough team." "It's always a battle." With the win, Hononegah remains on top of the NIC 10 conference race with two games remaining. Tuesday night at home against Boylan Catholic, and the final NIC-10 and regular season game is Thursday, February 13th, against Rockford Auburn.

Friday’s epic contest was the youth basketball appreciation night. Head Coach Jason Brunke mentioned the importance of "recognizing them and having the players see what they talk about at camps in action." "It's our way to continue the legacy and have no ups and downs in the program."

Team members from the Junior Indians programs, Steven Mack and Roscoe Middle Schools, were recognized on the floor and warmly welcomed into the Old High School Gym. 

During warm-ups, you could feel this would be a battle between two teams unwilling to give an inch. 

Both crowds came to full throat many times throughout Friday’s game. Each voiced their happiness and frustration with the calls in the contest. 

Once the ball got tossed to start the game, both teams played good, hard, physical defense, with nobody getting a score until two-plus minutes were off the clock. Belvidere got an early 2-point lead, but Hononegah played tough defense and shut down any offense Belvidere had. Finally, getting the 2-point bucket from junior guard Natalie Harris. The score remained close the remainder of the quarter, with 10 plus fouls being called to quell the physical play that both teams seemed to enjoy—end of the opening quarter, Hononegah 10-8 over the Bucs of Belvidere. 

When the 2nd quarter started, junior Jordan Dimke began to put her stamp on the game. Having only one free throw in the opening quarter, she got 8 points and five rebounds in the 2nd quarter. Harris had a 3-point bucket in the middle of the quarter and finished the first half with 7 points. 

On the other side, Belvidere went through a dry spell. They didn’t score in the 2nd until 4 minutes were left on the clock. They got six quick points from 5’10” senior Arianna LaBeaul, who finished the first half with 8 points to pace the way for Belvidere. Halftime score 27-16 Hononegah.

Coming out after halftime, the Indians jumped out to a quick 30-20 lead, but by the end of the quarter, Belvidere cut it to a 38-34 deficit. Leading scores for each team in the quarter were LaBeau for Belvidere 9 big points with three steals and four rebounds. Hononegah got spread out scoring in the 3rd as sophomore Reese Gunderson, Madison Olson, and Freshman Ainsley Hughes each had 5 points. 

The 4th and final quarter played out like a good long ride in the country with hills and valleys, plus some expected things seen along the way. Four players fouled out of the game as Kylie Simpson, Natalie Harris and Carly Koch each fouled out for Hononegah. Belvidere had its legend in Emma Pierson fould out. The University of Minnesota Crookston signee fouled out with 17 seconds left. She finished with 22 points to lead all scores on both teams. Hononegah made just enough plays and free throws in the 4th to come out with a 62-55 win.

There is no rest for the Indians as they play host to Hersey on Saturday afternoon. Hersey is coached by former Indian Courtney Weibel, now Courtney Ludois. The Hersey squad in the mid-suburban east conference comes in 17-11 and 8-2. Tipoff is set for 4 pm from the Fieldhouse.