Hoping to obtain its first district win of the season, the girls basketball team (14-13, 0-2) host the Sherman Bearcats (6-16, 0-2) at 6:15 p.m.

Head coach Lance Boxell said the home court has the potential advantage could be huge for the team tonight.

“We need to continue to be the team that is playing with more urgency,” Boxell said. “It is the first game that we are playing with the boys team [playing a home game afterwards] so I am expecting a big crowd. Hopefully we can feed off of the crowd’s energy and pick up our first win in district.”

Senior Ireland Miller said she believes it is important to not play down to the opposing team’s level.

“This game should be a test to see if we can play at a high intensity even though our competition is one of the weaker ones in the district,” Miller said.

Last Tuesday, the team went on the road to face Denison and lost 72-54. Denison got off to a fast start in the first quarter, ending the quarter with an eight point lead. Denison pulled away in the fourth quarter and the Leopards couldn’t overcome the deficit.

Junior Carsen McFadden led the team in scoring and rebounds as she finished with a double-double with 21 points and 10 boards.

“I really liked how our team kept competing for the full 32 minutes,” Boxell said. “We were not able to make enough plays late in the game, but for the second game in a row I thought our energy and effort were really good.”

In order to keep up with the other teams as district play progresses, the team is focusing on some things on the offensive end of the floor in preparation for the Sherman game.

“We need to keep working on limiting turnovers and outside shooting as we look to turn the corner and start winning some of these district games,” Boxell said.

After the Sherman game, the team will go on the road to face district opponent Princeton on Tuesday at 6:15 p.m.