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Falcons carry 'right ball' past Warriors
An early “air ball” Tuesday night floated what becomes a familiar theme around Valentine’s Day:
Blame the boys!
Or the boys’ basketball in this case.
Coach Mark Brown even backpedaled after saying nerves were a big factor for his team’s slow playoff start.
“Maybe it was the ball more than nerves,” the Hitchcock County girls’ leader said following what eventually became a 63-44 win over feisty No. 5 Arapahoe.
A boys basketball was accidentally used to start this D1-11 semifinal contest. The result was no points from either team through nearly three full minutes.
“I kind of wondered,” a Falcon assistant coach added after seeing an early air-ball shot.
Like a true No. 1 seed, Hitchcock (17-6 record) found ways to score first while shooting into leads never relinquished.
The boys’ ball debacle was soon discovered, and both teams would suddenly heat up to shooter better than 40 percent.
No. 5-seed Arapahoe really torched the nets from long range. Senior Madison Hanke and sophomore Terri Hilker would team to hit eight three-pointers in 15 attempts (53 percent).
However, better balanced scoring teamed with relentless full-court pressure kept those Falcons a few steps ahead.
Junior Allison Hoyt (18 points) delivered plenty of driving baskets while senior Jasmine Youngquist sent another 11 points through the Cambridge High School hoops.
Meanwhile, senior Courtney Hrnchir tallied 12 points with eight rebounds as Hitchcock dominated inside.
The Falcons more than doubled Arapahoe’s rebound total, 32-15.
“We had a size advantage in a matchup inside and took advantage of that,” Brown confirmed.
Hitchcock also contained Arapahoe senior Alayna Whipple, who scored 15 points in Monday’s playoff win over Medicine Valley.
The Warriors finished their season at 3-20 but lose only one senior (Hanke) from their improving team.
Hitchcock County moves on Thursday’s D1-11 final against No. 3 Alma. The Cardinals (9-14 record) beat No. 2 Bertrand in Tuesday’s other semifinal.
The Falcons won 49-42 over Alma on Jan. 12 in Trenton.
Opening tip time for Thursday’s rematch is 7 p.m., according to information seen on nsaahome.org.
FALCONS (63) — Allison Hoyt 18 points, Courtney Hrnchir 12, Jasmine Youngquist 11, Kass Kisker 7, Kyleigh Scott 6, Lydia Hagan 4. Three-pointers: Horinek, Youngquist.
WARRIORS (44) — Terri Hilker 18 points, Madison Hanke 15, Joslyn North 5, Mariah Watson 4, Lauren Bahe 2. Three-pointers: Hilke 5, Hanke 3.