By Fred Kroner

Villa Grove’s girls’ basketball team picked up its first victory on Saturday (Jan. 15) when its first opponent in the Lincoln Prairie Conference Tournament – Argenta-Oreana – was obliged to forfeit due to COVID-19 issues.

On Thursday (Jan. 13), Kaylee Arbuckle and Emma Buesing each scored nine points – all from beyond the three-point arc – but the Blue Devils dropped a 45-26 decision at home to Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond.

Vanessa Wright added eight points for Villa Grove, who outscored A-L/A-H 20-19 in the second half.

Villa Grove (0-12 on the court and 1-15 overall) returns to action in the Lincoln Prairie Conference Tournament. The Blue Devils face a rematch with A-L/A-H at 6 p.m. on Monday (Jan. 17) at Cerro Gordo.