Bison duo earns all-SWC first team

McCook sophomore Livya Wier (left) keeps pressure on an Ogallala Indian during Southwest Conference semifinal play in January. The Bison placed third.

R.B. Headley/McCook Gazette

McCOOK, Neb. — Senior double-double machine Mackenzie Smith and sophomore guard Liviya Wier were named to the all-Southwest Conference basketball first team this week.

Smith averaged exactly 10 rebounds per game while scoring 13.2 as the Bison captured 10 wins this season.

The 5’11” senior post reached 11 rebounds or more in 11 games this season topped with a season-best 17 vs. Gothenburg on Jan. 21.

That effort followed Smith’s 16 points and 15 boards vs. Lexington on Jan. 15 where Wier’s driving shot gave McCook a memorable home win.

Wier averaged 10.4 points after battling through an early-season injury.

She delivered 21 points during McCook’s historic first SWC tourney semifinal against Ogallala on Jan. 28.

Wier later netted 19 points in consecutive victories over Ainsworth and Gering. She also made three steals per game (52 total) besides 50 rebounds.

Champion Broken Bow matched McCook’s two all-SWC first teamers with junior Majesta Valasek and sophomore Kali Staples. Ogallala junior Jaedy Commins completed the first team.

No Bison was mentioned on the second or third squads.