Bloomington Jefferson’s depth was put to the test Tuesday night in a South Suburban Conference girls’ basketball tilt with Eastview. And though the Jaguars ultimately fell 57-49 when the Lightning pulled away at the end from the free-throw line, thoughts all around afterward were positive from the home team.

“We’re seven games in, and this was our best win of the season even though it’s not going to show up that way in the win-loss column,” coach Andy Meinhardt said. “No question, it’s our best.”

Meinhardt saw his team battle not only a tough opponent, but a healthy dose of adversity. Junior guard Britney Scherber, an 18 points per game player, lasted just 5 minutes, 12 seconds into the battle of previously undefeated teams. She was carried to the trainer’s room by two teammates after spending several minutes lying on the floor with an injured left ankle. She was later taken to a hospital, where tests revealed only a sprain.

Those results came back around midnight, just about the time sophomore guard Brooke Fritzlar got out of the dentist’s chair. She took a forearm to the mouth with about six minutes to go in the game, causing her to bite through her lower lip and cave in a couple of teeth.

Add to that Anna Smith and Cassie Anderson both fouling out in the final five minutes and the Jaguars were down to one starter left to finish the game with four reserves. They held tough before the Lightning began its march to the line, scoring 10 of the game’s final 12 points.

“I couldn’t be prouder of my team,” Meinhardt said. “We lost a kid early, we lost a kid late and we were right with that very good Eastview team right to the end. Depth and character. We showed it, and it’s going to take us a long way.”

Senior Megan Scherber scored nine of her 11 points after halftime. She showed her versatility, draining a three-pointer to tie the game 31-31 on the second possession of the second half. That came just before giving Jefferson a two-point lead on a nifty pick and roll. The senior captain played with a jolt of adrenaline after watching her sister use crutches to get back to the gym for the game’s final 18 minutes.

“It was definitely a shock to see [Britney] go out like that,” Megan Scherber said. “I kept wondering if she broke it or did she sprain it. That could really hurt our team. But you have to block it out and be mentally tough. I was really motivated to keep this team in the game. Even without her, we can be a really good team. Sometimes you have to fight through obstacles, and we stuck with it.”

The Jaguars are back on their home court Wednesday night against Chaska, and will play in a holiday tournament in Richfield beginning Monday.