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Despite injuries, returning state tourney team stays hot
BARTLEY, Neb. — Southern Valley’s closest win since opening night showed why Richard McDonald wasn’t offering any sugar coating about Christmas break.
“We’re really tired. Our legs are shot,” the head coach revealed following a 44-27 triumph over Southwest Tuesday evening. “This is was our fourth game in six days. We have two big injuries.”
“I need a break,” he added. “That being said, anytime you go 8-1 into Christmas break...you have to be excited.”
The Eagles hadn’t won by less than 22 points since a 33-26 debut over Minden.
Those Southwest Conference Whippets (5-1) have won five straight since the Eagles’ visit.
On Tuesday, Southwest (3-5 record) stayed within seven points through halftime at 20-13 but only scored seven during each of those final two quarters.
Junior Peyton Truksa was a brilliant 75 percent from three-point range as she hit three of four.
“Peyton lit it up tonight. This was probably her best game,” SW coach Dennis Hentgen observed. “I was really happy with things we did tonight. I thought Anastasia Gallegos was awesome on defense. I thought she frustrated (Ann) Bose a lot.”
Yet a frustrated Ann Bose can still beat most any happy prep player in southwest Nebraska.
Bose outscored Southwest, 28-27, besides her eight rebounds, six steals and three assists.
“Ann played well. She really carried us early. We missed nine layups,” McDonald said.
The Eagles were still fresh enough to follow a 52-19 win over Hitchcock County on Saturday where they held those Falcons to 14% field-goal shooting.
Junior forward Tori Bose mixed in eight points on Tuesday while also offering just enough resistance for Southwest to miss some inside shots.
Junior Adi Hunt swiped more five steals, zooming along even though backcourt partner Brecklyn Hammond is recovering from a high ankle sprain.
“Adi might not have had her best game, but she’s a long-armed athletic girl and that’s a huge help.”
Junior Brynn Baily did return after a recent injury and made one basket.
The Eagles will soar into next week’s Arapahoe Holiday Tournament.
Reserves like junior guard Vanessa Aguayo — who scored 17 points vs. Loomis recently — should be rested and refreshed.
“The girls have responded and our bench is getting better,” McDonald concluded.
The Roughriders are set to play one more game before Christmas at Franklin tonight.
SV EAGLES (8-1) — Ann Bose 28 points, Tori Bose 8, Adi Hunt 3, Brynn Baily 2, Natalee Holste 2. Three-pointers: Ann Bose 2. Rebound leaders: A. Bose 8, T. Bose 5. Assists: A. Bose 3, T. Bose 2, Holste 2. Steals: A. Bose 6, Hunt 5. Blocked shots: T. Bose 2.
ROUGHRIDERS (3-5) — Payton Truksa 13 points, Kyra Nelms 7, Bryn Lampe 2, Allison Vanpelt 2, Anikka Nelms 2, Atleigh Nelms 1. Three-pointers: Truksa 3. Rebound leaders: Lampe 5, K. Nelms 5. Assists: Anastasia Gallegos 2, Lampe 2, Truksa 2, K. Nelms 2, A. Nelms 2. Blocked shots: Gallegos, Vanpelt.