The Eureka Lady Tornado basketball team kicked off their 2025 season with an electrifying game against the Burlington Wildcats. The first quarter showcased a fierce backand- forth battle, leaving the final outcome uncertain. However, in true Tornado fashion, Eureka unleashed their offensive and defensive power in the remaining three quarters, storming to a decisive 6233 victory.
Eureka set the tone by winning the opening tip, and Brenna Rucker opened the scoring with a free throw. On the following possession, Kimber Ptacek found Britta Mongeau wide open at the top of the key, where Mongeau drained a three-pointer. Burlington answered with an inside basket, and the game quickly turned into a thrilling race. Laynie Winfrey and Rucker each contributed three-point baskets, while Elle Coulter capitalized on a fastbreak layup. By the end of the quarter, Eureka clung to a narrow 12-11 lead.
Burlington tied the game with a free throw early in the second quarter, but Winfrey responded with a drive off a screen to regain the lead. Rucker then went on a scoring spree, adding 11 points with a three-pointer and multiple field goals to fuel a 13-0 Tornado run. Burlington managed to halt the streak with a two-point bucket and free throws, but the damage was done. By halftime, Eureka had built a commanding 28-19 lead.
The Tornadoes kept the momentum going in the second half. Winfrey opened with a skillful drive through two Wildcat defenders for a layup, followed by a step-back three-pointer from Rucker to further stretch Eureka’s lead. The Tornadoes’ relentless defense forced turnovers, including a key lane violation, while their offense remained unstoppable. By the final buzzer, Eureka had outscored Burlington 34-14 in the second half, securing their seventh win of the season and extending their undefeated record to 7-0.
Stats and Scoring Leaders: POINTS: Rucker 31, Winfrey 12, Lydia Mason 9, Alaina Westerman 4, Mongeau 3, Coulter 2, and Ptacek 1. REBOUNDS: Rucker 10, Winfrey 7, Westerman 6, Ptacek and Mason 5, and Mongeau and Coulter 2. ASSISTS: Ptacek and Mongeau 4, Winfrey 3, and Rucker 2.
STEALS: Winfrey 5 and Rucker and Westerman 2.
Next Up
The Eureka Lady Tornadoes will compete in the Trojan Classic in Hillsboro. They were set to face the Riley County Falcons on Tuesday, Jan. 21, with additional matchups scheduled for Friday, Jan. 24, and Sat., January 25.
