Washington girls trudge through tough schedule

No. 13 Keokuk hands Demons home loss

Andy Krutsinger

Jan. 12, 2022 12:40 am, Updated: Jan. 12, 2022 8:40 am

WASHINGTON — It certainly isn’t the easiest of weeks for the Washington girls basketball team.

The Demons, one night removed from a 56-30 loss against No. 7 (1A) Notre Dame, dropped a Southeast Conference showdown to No. 13 (4A) Keokuk, falling 64-18 on Tuesday night.

Washington’s Makenna Conrad drives against a Keokuk defender on Tuesday night. (Andy Krutsinger/The Union)

“They're long athletes that press you full court,” said Demon head coach Shannon Rugg. “They're athletic and really get after you on the defensive end, and it created problems for us the last two nights.”

Keokuk led 21-4 after one period, 34-14 at halftime and 54-16 after three periods. Two-time defending SEC Player of the Year Abby Wolter poured in 31 points for the Chiefs.

Washington’s Kaylin Long swings a pass to the corner during the Demons’ Southeast Conference loss to Keokuk on Monday night. (Andy Krutsinger/The Union)

“Abby Wolter is a two-time conference Player of the Year for a reason,” said Rugg. “She does some good things and she's long, and that's what gives us problems, is long athletes.”

Alex Murphy led the Demons with four points. Makenna Conrad scored three. Kaylin Long, Taylor Bartholomew, Elyse Hunt, Maci Williams and Iris Peterson had two apiece, and Kendall Hinrichsen finished with one.

Washington’s Lauren Hinrichsen handles the ball during the Demons’ home loss to Keokuk on Tuesday night. (Andy Krutsinger/The Union)

It doesn’t get any easier for the Demons, who sit at 1-10 overall and 1-5 in conference play. They will travel to Keokuk (8-3, 6-0) on Friday for a rematch.

“We've got some things we can work on between now and Friday to get ready for them and hopefully give them a better game,” Rugg said.