CROTHERSVILLE — Curtis White, coach of the Crothersville Lady Tigers basketball team, knows in just about every game this season, his team is going to face an older, more experienced team.

On Saturday afternoon, the Tigers played host to Southwestern (Hanover). The Rebels started one senior, one junior, two sophomores and one freshman. White began the game with five freshmen on the floor, and the Rebels went home with a 77-20 win.

The Tigers held a 2-1 lead following a layup by Kendra Kelshaw at 6:50 of the first period before the Rebels scored the next 13 points and held a 25-7 lead at the end of the first period, a 46-13 lead at the half and a 64-14 lead going into the fourth period.

“The main thing is we’re just trying to learn basic basketball, learn fundamental basketball and get to where we need to be each time,” White said. “We’re struggling right now with just running plays. We’re struggling to recognize defenses when we’re up against them.

“But the thing is we got Jojo (Clay) back today, which really helped us. This is her first varsity game this season. She just came off of surgery and is cleared to play, and we’re so happy about that,” he said. “We’ve got seven freshmen, two sophomores and one senior, and we’re learning the game. I feel like as long as they have patience with me and I can have patience with them, we’re going to go somewhere here in a couple of years. Gaining experience and taking the bumps and the knocks, I think they’re going to be OK.”

The Tigers committed 13 turnovers in the first period and 30 for the game and made only 3 of 10 free throws in the first quarter and were 6 for 16 for the day.

White said the Tigers definitely need to reduce the turnovers and improve their shooting from the floor and from the line.

Joshalyn Luedebrink, a freshman, topped the Tigers in scoring with seven points, while Clay topped her team in rebounds with four.

Ashley Fulton topped the Rebels with 18 points, Riley Scroggins scored 13, Olivia Simpson 11 and Rorie Scroggins 10.

Southwestern made 33 baskets, including eight 3-pointers, and the Tigers scored seven 2-point field goals.

The Tigers will host Borden on Tuesday for their first Southern Athletic Conference game, will host Edinburgh on Wednesday night and will face Trinity Lutheran at home on Saturday afternoon.

“We’re hoping to grow every day and learn something new every day and hone some skills as we go along,” White said. “I’m seeing improvements. What I’m really seeing, even in practice, I’m starting to see us gain some strength, we’re gaining some confidence with our shots. We’re actually starting to shoot the ball the correct way, which sounds strange, correct some things in our shots, and our shot choice is starting to come around.”

High School Basketball

Southwestern;25;21;18;13;—;77

Crothersville;7;6;1;6;—;20

Crothersville (0-3): Kendra Kelshaw 1 1-2 3, Isabella Riley 0 1-2 1, Hayden Pilgrim 0 2-2 2, Joceline Clay 1 1-4 3, Joshalyn Luenebrink 3 1-2 7, Laura Redifer 1 0-0 2, Hali Burton 1 0-0 2, Jazlin Gibson 0 0-2 0, Brooklyn Bottorff 0 0-2 0, Kelsie Walker 0 0-0 0, totals 7 6-16 20

Southwestern (1-3): Ashley Fulton 7 0-0 18, Olivia Simpson 5 1-2 11, Rorie Scroggins 5 0-0 10, Riley Scroggins 6 0-0 13, Cadence Long 1 0-0 2, Kinsten Long 2 0-2 5, Harlee Hill 1 0-0 2, Sophie Ford 2 0-0 5, Annie Ford 1 1-1 3, Aitana Aparicio 1 0-0 2, Bri Johnson 1 0-0 2, Baleigh McAfee 1 1-4 4, totals 33 3-9 77

3-point goals: Southwestern (Fulton 4, McAfee, Riley Scroggins, K. Long, S. Ford)

Rebounds: Crothersville 17 (Clay 4, Kelshaw 3)

Turnovers: Crothersville 30, Southwestern 7

Fouls: Crothersville 10, Southwestern 11