NOTRE DAME GIRLS TRIP SPRINGFIELD

At first glance, the Notre Dame girls basketball record doesn't have the look of a state-ranked team.

Seven losses seems a bit extreme to be considered one of the best teams in Class 2A. But when all seven of those losses come at the hands of solid 3A and 4A schools, the record begins to look a little more acceptable.

And besides, when the Lady Bulldogs play a school of their own size, they usually roll to victory.

That was the case Saturday evening when Notre Dame played host to Springfield Catholic in a contest between two 2A parochial schools. The Lady Bulldogs forced 24 Lady Irish turnovers in a 54-39 victory.

"It's nice to play a school our size," said smiling Notre Dame coach Jerry Grim. "Our defense gave them some trouble and in the second half we shot the ball a lot better than we have been."

Notre Dame, ranked eighth in Class 2A, improved to 15-7 and remained unbeaten against 1A and 2A schools. Springfield Catholic, which plays a schedule filled with bigger schools much like the Lady Bulldogs, fell to 5-12.

"Notre Dame's press threw us off a little," said Springfield coach Courtney Hemen. "They put good pressure on the ball."

After trailing 9-8 after the first quarter, seven turnovers in the second quarter staked Notre Dame to a 28-20 halftime advantage. Eleven Springfield turnovers in the third quarter practically gave Notre Dame the game.

The Lady Bulldogs shot 8 of 12 from the floor in the third quarter and used an 8-0 run to end the period ahead 46-28. Notre Dame senior Jennifer Glueck scored eight of her 10 points in the quarter.

Sophomore Bonnie Essner also added 10 points for Notre Dame. Eleven of Notre Dame's 13 players scored in the contest.

"It's getting close to district time," said Grim. "It's good to see some of our kids come off the bench and contribute."

Notre Dame's reserves played the entire fourth quarter, holding the Lady Irish to just an 11-8 scoring advantage.

Thanks to a 24-9 turnover advantage, the Lady Bulldogs shot 18 more times than the Lady Irish. After some cold shooting in the first half, Notre Dame finished the game 23 of 56 from the floor (41 percent). The Lady Bulldogs made just 2 of 13 3-pointers.

Springfield shot 17 of 38 from the field (45 percent).

The Lady Bulldogs host a big game Thursday night when 2A rival Kelly comes to town. The Lady Hawks are 17-5.