The Chadron High girls bounced back from their first loss of the season in championship fashion, winning their own George Watson Rotary Holiday Basketball Classic by beating Hemingford, 70-24, in the opening round Friday and Valentine, 70-43, in Saturday’s championship game.Third-place in the tournament, which is named for the late Chadron attorney, college professor, and sports enthusiast, went to Bayard, a 38-35 winner over Hemingford.

Chadron showed no lingering effects from their 21 point loss a week earlier at Rapid City’s St Thomas More…now ranked #1 in Class A in South Dakota…as the Cardinals scored the first 24 points of the game against Hemingford.

It was 26-4 after the first quarter, 49-8 at the half, and 66-15 after three quarters before the reserves played most of the final period.

The Lady Cardinals were led in scoring by Ashlea Kerr with 19, while Peyton Hinn and Bailea Kerr both scored 10 points. Jayleen Forgey was high for Hemingford with 7

In Saturday’s championship game, Valentine…who defeated Bayard 69-30 in the opening round…used the long ball to stay close early and was down only 7 after the first quarter 17-10.

Chadron eventually used superior size to pull away, pushing the margin to 40-23 at the half and 60-30 after 3 quarters.

Ashlea Kerr was again high for Chadron, this time with 22, while Briley Hannaford added 17. Allie Millard scored 16 points for the Lady Badgers.

Chadron is now 10-1 and off until next Saturday when they host Mitchell.