Ferndale girls' basketball coach Mike Ivy chose the Rebel Challenge in Juanita to test his team over the holidays to help prepare it for the postseason. The Golden Eagles certainly found out a little bit about what it's going to take once the district tournament rolls around.

Challenge host Juanita handed Ferndale, which entered the three-day event with an unbeaten record, its second straight loss, topping the Golden Eagles 68-46 on Saturday, Dec. 29.

"We accomplished what we wanted to down here in getting ready for district," Ivy said in a phone interview. "I think the girls saw where they need to improve."

Juanita did a good job of showing them, as it jumped out to a 41-23 halftime lead. Point guard Mikayla Jones, whom Ivy called "the best player I've seen this year," scored a game high 19 points, while Kenzie Waltar added 15, and the Rebels out rebounded Ferndale 33-21.

"They go 6-3, 6-2, 6-1, and then they bring another 6-3 player off the bench," Ivy said. "They're big, and we just didn't handle it very well."

Linsey Honeycutt let Ferndale (9-2) with 16 points and five rebounds, one night after logging 28 points in loss to Ballard.

The Golden Eagles return to Northwest Conference action on Friday, Jan. 4, when they host Sehome.

JUANITA 68, FERNDALE 46

Ferndale 4 19 14 9 - 46

Juanita 15 26 15 12 - 68

Ferndale: Kendra Bodger 5, Koral Weidkamp 4, Taylor Knutson 2, Kelli Bannerman 2, Taylor Reid 4, Kodie Euper 0, Taryn Knutson 6, Hannah Carlson 7, Brooke Benson 0, Linsey Honeycutt 16.

Juanita: Winnie Levitt 6, Mikayla Jones 19, Breanna Carter 7, Shannon Brink 0, Mary Carter 2, Kenzie Waltar 15, Tayler Lloyd 7, Jaisa Nunn 2, Jade Finau 10.

3-ptg: Ferndale 0, Juanita 6 (Levitt 2, Jones 2). Rebounds: Ferndale 21 (Honeycutt 5), Juanita 33 (Nunn 8). Assists: Ferndale 13 (Reid 6), Juanita 15 (Jones 7). Fouls: Ferndale 10, Juanita 16. Turnovers: Ferndale 22, Juanita 12.