The Tonganoxie High girls team claimed a narrow 50-47 win Friday against Maranatha Academy and a 38-34 victory Saturday against Wathena, taking third in the Raider Classic at Immaculata in Leavenworth. Even more rewarding for THS, though, was their new record. After a four-game swoon, the Chieftains evened their record at 6-6 with two straight wins.

No one seemed happier than Jennifer Reischman, who also broke out of her own slump. The senior has had woes at the charity stripe, but coach Randy Kraft told her she was focusing on the basket too much.

Against Maranatha, Reischman listened to Kraft’s advice. She would see the basket, then look to her right before looking back at the goal for her free throw. The advice seemed to help Reischman, who connected on a couple free throws down the stretch in the Chieftains’ win against Maranatha.

“I think it helped her,” Kraft said. “She was getting a little tense and her muscles were short.”

Reischman’s free throws, in turn were short, but the senior preferred to talk about Tonganoxie’s current winning streak.

“We were in the biggest slump,” Reischman said. “It feels really good to get a victory.”

The losing streak along with fewer players wasn’t the greatest combination last week. Senior Laura Korb tore her ACL against Bonner Springs on Jan. 17and hasn’t played since, while fellow guard Michelle McWilliams missed the Raider Classic because she was in Chicago.

Still, THS came back from a 58-55 setback against Pleasant Ridge in their first game of the round-robin tournament Jan. 21. Tonganoxie also defeated a Wathena team that came into the tournament 6-2, but left with losses to THS, Lansing and Immaculata.

When play resumes Tuesday for at home against Basehor-Linwood, THS could have its full roster. McWIlliams will be back, while Korb will see how her knee feels this week before deciding if she can hold off on surgery until after the season.

“It’s better than what it was a couple days,” Korb said Monday.

The senior has been wearing a brace in practice this week and will know Friday what her status will be.

Tonganoxie’s break in the schedule couldn’t come at a better time, according to the Tonganoxie coach

“We need the time off,” Kraft said.