The Joseph girls varsity team fell to the powerful Pine Eagle Spartans in its league opener at Halfway Saturday, Jan. 7. The score was 31-68.

“They are a good team. … We were beaten in a transition game going both ways,” said coach Kyle Burnett. “They made their shots, and were more than we can handle.”

High-scorer in the game was sophomore Breanna Gibson with 12 points, including three three-point shots; sophomore Sydney Cooney, seven; senior Jade DeLury, 6 (both three-pointers); senior Danica Gross, four; and senior Paige Hunting, two.

It didn’t help that the E-Gals were missing three of their players, including frequent starter sophomore Hailee McClure, who has had a chronic foot problem and may be suffering from a fractured foot bone. “Hailee’s very offensive minded and is real good for our offense,” Burnett said, noting that she scored 19 points in her last game.

Also missing, because of sickness, were go-to players junior Lexi Tippett and freshman Shayna Cooper.

The coach would like to see all three girls back for this weekend’s two games.

The E-Gals are scheduled to play two of its league rivals, facing Cove in Joseph at 6 p.m. Friday, Jan. 14, and Powder Valley in North Powder at 4 p.m. Saturday.