Playing in front of their classmates last Tuesday afternoon inside Owensville High School’s (OHS) main gymnasium, Owensville Middle School (OMS) Dutchgirl basketball teams coached by Matt Kramme and Kayla Huebner welcomed St. James’ Lady Tigers into Gasconade County for the annual daytime doubleheader between the two schools.

Trailing 18-8 at halftime, Kramme’s seventh-grade Dutchgirls were able to pull within four points at 20-16 late in the third quarter before being outscored 18-3 the rest of the way of their 38-19 loss to the visitors from St. James.

Addi Meyer led the 7th grade Dutchgirls with eight points followed by three points each from the trio of Lexi Ragain, Eleanor Albright and Ella Niederer.

Kennedy Reams rounded out the Dutchgirl scoring with two points in the third quarter.

Harper Kemnitzer led St. James with 11 points in for the seventh-grade Lady Tigers.

Looking to get a split of the daytime twin bill, Huebner’s eighth-grade Dutchgirls were next to take on St. James.

Leading 8-7 after one quarter, Owensville saw St. James go on an 10-5 second-quarter run to leave the orange and black trailing 18-12 at halftime.

Down 31-23 with two minutes left, Huebner’s Dutchgirls scored the final five points of the game before coming up on the short end of a 31-28 final score.

Trinity Thomas and Jayde Weirich shared team-high scoring honors for the Dutchgirls netting nine points apiece.

Allison Evans added all six of her points in the first half while Adelyn McDonald and Zoie Barnes rounded out the Dutchgirl scoring against St. James with two points apiece.

Paige Nesbitt led the visiting Lady Tigers with 13 points.

After wrapping up tournament action in St. James (7th) and in Owensville (8th) later this week. OMS Dutchgirl basketball will return to non-tournament action on Monday, Oct. 20 facing Union’s Lady Wildcats on the road beginning at 5:30 p.m., before going back on the road Tuesday, Oct. 21 to face Steelville’s Lady Cardinals also with a 5:30 p.m., start time.