The OPH Girls’ Basketball team has had a successful second half of their season since coming back from Christmas break. Following the contest at Newton High School on Monday, February 7th, the team has lost just two of their last ten games. The girls were excited to be back on the court as the winter storm last week had kept them away for five days. Unfortunately, this would prove not in their favor.

The Newton Eagles jumped out to an early lead, ending the first quarter 19-8. Amber Russell of Newton led with eight points in the first while senior Katie Draper took the lead for OPH with five. OPH was able to tighten the defense up going into the second quarter and outscored the Eagles 8-6, taking the teams to the locker rooms with a nine-point deficit in home-team favor.

Shots started falling for both sides as the third quarter got underway. Newton came out on top of the quarter with a total of 22 points, Russell contributing 8, followed by Ava Kessler with 6, and 2 from Camryn Martin, Elley Bennett, Sydney Dobbins, and Lilly Kessler. Draper led OPH’s third quarter with 5, followed by Halle Piper with 4, and Maggie Bailey with 3.

OPH walked away with a 39-55 loss as they look forward to Senior Night on Wednesday. OPH will play host to Martinsville in Palestine with tip-off at 6 p.m.; recognition will commence before the game.