BOURBON — The Bourbon High School girl’s basketball team had to wait an extra couple of days to start their season after their games were postponed due to inclement weather.

But after the storm cleared the Lady Warhawks made their way to Caledonia to compete in the 36th Annual Valley Tournament. Bourbon fell to South Iron on Dec. 3, defeated Caledonia on Dec. 5 and lost to Lesterville on Dec. 6. 

The Lady Warhawks then hosted Newburg on Dec. 8 which will be detailed in next week’s edition. Bourbon will host Kingston on Dec. 11 before traveling to Chamois on Dec. 12 to take on the Lady Pirates.

Dec. 3 vs. South Iron

The Lady Warhawks got out to a slow start against South Iron and scored just one point in the first quarter before scoring 12 in the second quarter. The Lady Hawks were again stifled in the third quarter, scoring only two, and eventually falling to South Iron 54-25 in the first round of the tournament.

The Lady Hawks have a short bench this season with only eight players on the varsity roster and just one upperclassman — senior Kaitlyn King. They were led by sophomore Kinzey Waldron who scored 11 of her team-high 13 points in the second quarter. Waldron knocked down a three-pointer and scored five two-point baskets to pace the Lady Hawks. Fellow sophomore Kinzii Withorn chipped in five points and Bree Bouse, Reese Bell and King each scored two. Ella Biles knocked down a free throw to add one.

Dec. 5 vs. Caledonia

Bourbon had a day off before heading back to Valley to compete against Caldeonia. The first quarter was a defensive battle where both teams struggled to score and the Lady Hawks led 4-3 after the quarter. Bourbon started to find its rhythm in the second led by Withorn, who scored five of her game-high 15 points in the frame. The Lady Hawks outscored Caledonia 12-7 in the second and took a 16-10 lead heading into halftime.

Bourbon continued to ascend as the game went on and outscored the Vikings 13-4 in the third quarter to lead 29-14 after three quarters. The Lady Warhawks didn’t let their foot off the gas and outscored Caledonia 14-5 in the fourth quarter to win their first game of the season 43-19.

Withorn did her damage in the paint, and scored 15 on six shots from the post and three free throws. Waldron scored nine on two shots from deep, a two-point bucket and a free throw. King added seven, Bell scored four and Biles added two. Freshman Savannah Vance scored her first varsity points and made three baskets to finish with six points.

Dec. 6 vs. Lesterville

The Lady Warhawks then had a quick turnaround and spent their Saturday traveling back to Valley to compete against Lesterville. Bourbon was in the game early and trailed 11-8 after the first quarter. The Lady Hawks struggled in the second quarter and were outscored 10-4 as they went into halftime trailing 22-12. 

Bourbon began the second half playing tougher defense but continued to have a hard time scoring. The Lady Hawks gave up just nine points in the frame, but only scored seven themselves, and went into the fourth quarter trailing 31-19. Bourbon then had its best scoring quarter of the afternoon as they poured in 11, but that wasn’t enough to complete the comeback as Lesterville emerged victorious with a 42-30 final score. 

Vance seemed to gain more confidence game-by-game and scored a team-high 12 points. She was scoreless in the first game of the tournament, scored six against Caledonia before doubling her output against Lesterville. King finished with five on a pair of two-point baskets and a free throw and Waldron scored five on a shot from deep and a two-pointer. Withorn chipped in four and Bell and Biles each added two for the Lady Hawks.