WINDSOR- The Twin Valley girls’ basketball team had Windsor on the ropes for 24 minutes. They were on their way to upsetting the division III state champions on Windsor’s home court. But costly turnovers cost Twin Valley the win and the Yellowjackets buzzed to victory, 39-26.

The Wildcats had a strong showing in the first quarter. They never let the Yellowjackets control the tempo, they were strong on the boards, and they forced turnovers. The scoring was spread out among co-captains Bryer-lyn Crawford and Sam Bernard and Savannah Nesbitt. The two teams were tied 8-8 after one and Windsor came back out with a new strategy: They surprised the Wildcats with a full court press and took the lead.

Twin Valley wound up in early foul trouble, which put Windsor at the line. The Yellowjackets pulled ahead by five points, their largest lead of the game. Bernard drove to the hole and scored and the Wildcats were down by two, but a costly Twin Valley turnover allowed Windsor to score an easy layup. The Yellowjackets were up by four points at halftime, 18-14. Twin Valley clawed back in the third quarter and took the lead. Crawford sank an outside shot to bring it within one and Bernard went one for two at the free-throw line to tie the score. Minutes later, co-captain Kylie-blu Crawford hit from the top of the key and sank a three-fer. The Wildcats led 23-22, but Windsor responded.

They came back with a three of their own. The Yellowjackets took the lead back but they could not break free. Twin Valley’s Nesbitt found Bernard going to the basket and Bernard scored to bring it within three points, 28-25. Then somehow, the wheels came off Twin Valley’s wagon.

In the fourth quarter, Windsor’s Allison Wilcox scored and was fouled. She hit the free throw and the Yellowjackets went up by five points. Then Twin Valley committed three straight turnovers, leading to three straight Windsor baskets. The dagger finally came out when Windsor point guard Abigail Wright drove to the basket, scored, and got fouled. Wright made the free throw and just like that, the Yellowjackets were up by 10 points.

Twin Valley’s Abbi Molner fouled out and Windsor added three more points before the horn. The Yellowjackets sealed the victory and picked up their fourth win of the season. “(Windsor) ratched up the defense for sure. They made it difficult for us to get into our half court sets and that spelled doom for us. There were too many turnovers in the fourth quarter,” said Twin Valley coach Buddy Hayford.

Bernard scored 12 points and had 10 rebounds and four steals; Kylie-blu Crawford scored five points and made two steals; Nesbitt scored four points and had six assists; Bryer-lyn Crawford scored four points and had seven rebounds and two steals; and Molner had nine rebounds. The Wildcats are 4-4. They play on Thursday at Rivendell. Tip-off is at 5 pm. Monday they play at Arlington. Tip-off is at 5 pm. Wednesday they play Mount Saint Joseph. Tip-off is at 6:30 pm.