English Valleys wins in Pekin

PEKIN — English Valleys opened the 2023-24 girls’ basketball season Nov. 20 with a 58-21 win at Pekin.

The Bears dominated from the opening tip, building a 16-4 lead after one quarter and stretching that to 40-10 at halftime. The Panthers never got any closer.

Senior post Kennedy Axmear scored a game-high 25 points on 12-of-19 shooting from the field, grabbed nine rebounds, passed out five assists and collected three steals to lead English Valleys.

Senior guard Delaney Hall joined Axmear in double figures with 13 points, including three 3-pointers.

Freshman twins, Addison and Aubrey Achenbach, each scored six points and senior Imigyn Stratton and freshman Ava Gehrking netted four apiece.

Stratton added seven of the Bears’ 20 steals. Hall had four steals and Aubrey Achenbach three.

EV is on the road for three more games this week, against HLV Nov. 27, at Iowa Valley in Marengo Nov. 28 and in Belle Plaine Friday, before facing Keota in their 2023-24 home debut Tuesday, Dec. 5.