PRESTON - Cedar Valley Christian senior Shelby Hembera injured her left ankle during the first quarter of Friday night's 81-53 loss to Easton Valley in Preston.

Hembera, who leads the state in scoring at 33 points per game, did not return to action after the injury and will be examined by a doctor Saturday morning.

"We're hoping it's a sprain and not a fracture," said Cedar Valley Coach Craig Foote.

Hembera was injured when she took a shot and landed on someone's foot. She was in pain and tears. "It was a tough deal," said Foote.

Hembera scored six points in the game.

Foote confirmed Friday night that Hembera has committed to play college basketball at Emmaus Bible College in Dubuque.

Cedar Valley (7-4) led at halftime, 31-30, but Easton Valley (4-8) outscored the Huskies 51-22 in the second half.

Freshman Molly Hembera led Cedar Valley with 17 points. Maggie Cach scored 16. Lexi Theisen tossed in 26 points for the winners. Kiley Petersen had 24.

CEDAR VALLEY (53): S. Hembera 3 0-0 6, Slagle 2 0-0 5, Masterson 3 0-0 6, M. Hembera 7 3-5 17, Fields 0 0-0 0, Cechota 1 1-1 3, Polansky 0 0-0 0, Cach 5 6-8 16, Mafuta 0 0-0 0. Totals 21 10-14 53.

EASTON VALLEY (81): Theisen 10 4-6 26, Kilburg 6 2-3 14, Smithson 1 0-1 2, Miller 2 2-2 6, Petersen 12 0-0 24, Bormann 2 0-0 5, Grant 0 0-0 0, Strait 2 0-0 4, Budde 0 0-0 0. Totals 35 8-12 81.

Halftime - Cedar Valley 31, Easton Valley 30. 3-point goals - Cedar Valley 1 (Slagle 1), Easton Valley 3 (Theisen 2, Bormann 1).