The MHS girls (8-10), who trailed throughout, were led by junior guard Missy Rome, who scored 19 points. Junior forward Cassidy Bristol added 11.

Points were much harder to come by for McLouth’s boys (2-16) as the Bulldogs scored 10 points in the second quarter and five or less in each of the other three.

Junior point guard Cole Batman led MHS with seven points and was the only Bulldog to hit free throws (two).

Both basketball teams lost to visiting Horton on Feb. 17. The girls fell, 45-38, and the boys lost, 47-35.

The MHS girls trailed by just four at the half, but Horton took control with a 16-9 third-quarter advantage. Rome led the Bulldogs with 18 points. Terri Stewart added seven.

The McLouth boys gave Horton all it could handle for three quarters, entering the fourth quarter with the score tied at 28. But the Bulldogs were outscored, 19-7, in the final period.

Senior forward Derrick Crouse led MHS with 15 points and Batman scored 13.

The McLouth basketball squads close their regular season Friday at Doniphan West.

Next week, the teams will begin their postseasons with sub-state tournament games, beginning on Monday and concluding Saturday, March 7. McLouth is in the Silver Lake bracket with Kansas City Christian, Mission Valley, Oskaloosa, Rock Creek, Rossville, Silver Lake and Wellsville.

The MHS boys and girls are both 0-2 against the field with losses to Oskaloosa and K.C. Christian.