STEELVILLE– Steelville High School‘s girl’s basketball team tipped off their season on Nov. 25 against Dixon in the second of three games on opening night at Steelville High School. The Lady Cardinals found themselves in a highly contested, physical matchup where each basket was fought for.  

Steelville was down 16-14 after the first quarter and trailed 26-24 at halftime. Reigning All-District and All-Conference selection Emeri Perkins looked the part of a star as she relentlessly attacked the rim despite being continuously fouled, showed shooting range from distance, and poured in 16 points in the first half en route to a game-high 28 points. The Lady Cardinals struggled to score otherwise and Dixon’s defense got stronger as the game went on, leading to a 57-45 Bulldog victory. Steelville’s loss spoiled the debut of head coach Phillip Gambill, who is looking to steady the program after being the Lady Cardinal’s third coach in three seasons. 

Perkins’ supporting cast was led by Jazmyn Hurd, who scored eight points and valiantly attempted to direct Steelville’s offense through the bulldog’s pressure defense. Aaleigha Decker knocked down a three pointer, Sylvia Davis scored three, Alex Helms added two, and Kaylee Pitts scored one to round out the Lady Cardinals’ scoring. 

Helms, Pitts, and Adalei Perkins are all freshman who made their varsity debuts and were immediately indoctrinated into the intensity of a high pressure varsity matchup. 

Steelville senior starter Peyton Brooks went down with an undisclosed injury in the first few minutes of the game and didn’t return. 

The Lady Cardinals will continue a stretch of four straight games at home and host North County on Dec. 3, which will be detailed in next week’s edition. Steelville will then host St. James on Dec. 8 and Richland on Dec. 11 before competing on Dec. 15 in the Peoples Bank Holiday Classic beginning.