The Jefferson J-Hawks have been playing five girls for almost the entire game for the last week because of injuries to key players.

Those five girls have put up fights all week, but came up short against ranked opponents Linn-Mar and Iowa City High.

They finally got an unranked foe in Class 2A MFL MarMac Saturday afternoon, and the result was much more favorable.

Junior Kaitlyn Davidson lit up the Jefferson gym, pouring in 26 points to lead the J-Hawks to a 52-25 victory over the visiting Bulldogs.

The inside threat of juniors Rachel Broghammer and Maddie Koolbeck forced the Bulldogs into a 2-3 zone, opening things up for Davidson to rain from deep. Davidson threw in four threes to go along with a handful of breakaway lay-ups as Jefferson scored almost at will.

“It helps out lot (when a team goes zone). It allows us to spread out and get open shots,” Davidson said. “We work on the fastbreak in practice every day.”

The J-Hawks packed their 1-3-1 zone to take away the Bulldogs' 6-foot leading scorer, Nicole Wubbena, and forced numerous turnovers on the perimeter. Jefferson pitched an 18-0 shutout in the second quarter to fly out to a 30-4 lead at halftime.

Koolbeck attacked Wubbena and got her on the bench early in both halves with foul trouble.

With the large halftime lead the J-Hawks (3-4) were able to give their starters some rest in the fourth quarter and coast to a much needed win.

“I think it will get our confidence back,” Davidson said about ending the week with a win. “Winning is always fun.”

The J-Hawks next play Tuesday at Dubuque Hempstead and Friday at No. 7 Washington.

MFL MARMAC (25): Nicole Wubbena 5 1-2 11, Molly Schneider 0 0-0 0, Madelyn Vogt 0 1-2 1, Emily Moon 0 1-2 1, Megan Howe 2 0-0 6, Lexi Dettbarn 2 0-0 6, Chanice Drahn 0 0-0 0, Marcy Klein 0 0-0 0, Haley Quandahl 0 0-0 0, Erin Kinley 0 0-0 0. Totals 9 3-6 25.

JEFFERSON (52): Kaitlyn Davidson 10 2-3 26, Maddy Blietz 2 2-2 6, Dani Stromert 1 2-4 4, Rachel Broghammer 5 0-0 10, Maddie Koolbeck 2 2-5 6, Kylie Jonas 0 0-0 0, Hannah Towns 0 0-0 0, Molly Evans 0 0-0 0. Totals 20 8-14 52.

Halftime – Jefferson 30, MFL MarMac 4. 3-point goals – MFL MarMac 4 (Howe 2, Dettbarn 2) Jefferson 4 (Davidson 4). Total fouls -- MFL MarMac 12 Jefferson 10.