New Life Academy girls basketball: Eagles fall to Concordia in first game of season

The New Life Academy girls basketball team began its season Friday night with a loss against Concordia Academy.

For the young Eagles, chemistry is something that will build with each game.

New Life Academy began building that chemistry on Friday night in the loss to Concordia Academy, falling 48-36, but second year coach Ruth Ann Pederson said she saw a lot of good things from her team.

“We played great defense, and put on a lot of pressure,” Pederson said. “They gave great effort.”

Senior co-captain Matty Steele led the Eagles with 10 points, and her sophomore sister Sidney, who plays point guard for the team, handled the ball well and led the team down the court well, Pederson said of the sisters.

“Matty kept the team going and drove to the hoop well,” Pederson said. “She really gave a great effort.”

Junior co-captain Emily Bouldan played well, but Pederson said Concordia Academy shadowed her with a defender throughout the game.

“They knew she was the scorer and shadowed her throughout,” Pederson said.

Bouldan ended the game with nine points, including two 3-point shots.

The Eagles have two games this week. On Tuesday they played at Randolph. Next, the Eagles travel to Hastings on Friday. That game begins at 7:15.

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