The senior shooting guard splashed in five 3-point baskets and scored a game-high 17 points, highlighted by an 11-point final period, in South Hamilton’s root-canal-like 37-21 win over Saydel.

“It wasn’t real pretty for the first three quarters, but thankfully the girls stepped up in the fourth to pull away,” South Hamilton head coach Mark Henderson said. “It was great to see Aneesa get going from the outside. We’ve really been struggling to shoot lately, with only one made 3 as a team in the last two games, so her shooting (on Tuesday) was big.”

Balderas connected on 5 of 9 triples. Her hot finish helped South Hamilton (3-4, 2-2 HOIC) outscore Saydel (0-7, 0-4 HOIC) 19-6 in the fourth quarter.

The Hawks were without starting point guard Hallee Feaker for the second straight game due to a foot ailment, and their problems at the position were exacerbated on Monday when back-up Mackenzy Grady suffered an ankle injury in practice.

Caleigh Hewitt scored five points in the win, while Emma Lewis and Rocio Martinez added four each. Abby Ervin upped her minutes and contributed two points and two assists.

Lewis also collected eight rebounds and Hewitt had seven. Balderas and Brookelyn George both came up with four steals.

Rachel Barton pitched in six points to lead Saydel, which has dropped 17 consecutive games, dating back to last season. The Eagles are 1-28 over their last 29 outings.

South Hamilton 37, Saydel 21

Tuesday at Jewell

Saydel (0-7, 0-4 HOIC) — Kaydence Butters 1 3-5 5, Rylee Carney 1 1-2 3, Orianna Martin 0 2-9 2, Katy Van Houten 0 1-2 1, Brooklyn Leydens 1 0-0 2, Emily Lowe 0 2-6 2, Rachel Barton 2 2-2 6. Totals: 5 11-26 21.

South Hamilton (3-4, 2-2 HOIC) — Rocio Martinez 2 0-0 4, Emma Lewis 1 2-2 4, Abby Ervin 1 0-0 2, Hailey Diersen 1 0-0 2, Brookelyn George 1 1-2 3, Aneesa Balderas 6 0-2 17, Caleigh Hewitt 2 1-1 5, Aspen Wibholm 0 0-0 0, Chandler George 0 0-0 0, Paige Evans 0 0-0 0. Totals: 14 4-7 37.

Saydel 6 5 4 6 — 21

S. Ham. 7 6 5 19 — 37

3-point field goals — SH 5 (Balderas 5). Rebounds — SH 30 (Lewis 8, Hewitt 7, Diersen 6). Steals — SH 16 (George 4, Balderas 4). Assists — SH 7 (Ervin 2). Turnovers — SH 24. Team fouls — SAY 10, SH 24. Fouled out — none.

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