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McCook girls stand up to tough Swedes
GOTHENBURG, Neb. — While holiday breaks make some of us softer, the reverse effect became clear when one fast-charging Swede sent junior Tiara Matson tumbling to Gothenburg’s court Friday night.
Some McCook eyes maybe got bigger — but Matson was back on her feet within a blink while smiling teammates congratulated her.
Tweet! Charging, called the nearest referee.
The Bison soon celebrated a tough 49-40 road win over Gothenburg to get 2020 play going full speed.
“They (Gothenburg) have some good athletes from track and other sports, so this is a great win,” junior Liviya Wier declared after scoring a game-high 19 points.
“And after some of our practices during (holiday) break, this game didn’t seem so bad,” sophomore Peyton Doucet added.
The Bison (5-7 record) showed true grit after Gothenburg took some early leads. There wasn’t any reason to believe these talented Swedes weren’t scoring their seventh win in nine games this season.
Instead, it was those McCook girls who truly believed and made all the clutch baskets.
They took an 18-16 lead withfreshman Shawna Wikinson swishing the g0-ahead three-pointer.
Gothenburg regained a 26-22 advantage, but the Bison attitude remained strong when Matson moved inside and made one perfectly-timed putback at that halftime buzzer.
McCook was only trailing by two again — and that disappeared as junior Emma Kehler made McCook’s first basket following intermission.
Bison defenders then stood their ground under a barrage of three consecutive Gothenburg shots. None went through the hoop and McCook soon had that basketball again.
“I liked how all the girls really competed in practice (during the break),” coach Amy Scheil commented. “Some of the younger girls really challenged the older ones.”
Gothenburg never challenged to take a lead again after Wilkinson’s corner shot broke the final tie of 28-28.
Kehler soon scored off a Bison steal before top scorer/point guard Wier really took over.
Wier’s running shot went through to make it 35-30 for McCook and Wilkinson’s next two free throws continued building that margin.
The Bison led by a dozen at 46-34 and were on their way to one great road win.
“The thing about our team is we’re all good friends,” Wier concluded. “Though we mainly do some sleeping on a trip like this.”
Scoring summaries
McCook 49, Gothenburg 40
BISON (5-7) — Liviya Wier 19 points, Shawna Wilkinson 13, Peyton Doucet 9, Shawna Wilkinson 8, Emma Kehler 4, Brolin Morgan 3. Three-pointers: Morgan, Wilkinson.
SWEDES (6-3) — Alexis Bliven and Annica Harm scored 14 points each for Gothenburg.
Saturday
Red Raiders 61, McCook 37
BISON (5-8) — Liviya Wier 15 points, Tiara Matson 7, Payton Doucet 6, Shawna Wilkinson 5, Brolin Morgan 2, Emma Kehler 2. Three-pointers: Wier 2, Matson, Wilkinson.
SIDNEY (9-3) — Senior Mattie Johnson’s 29 points powered the Red Raiders to a road victory with junior Felicity Beyer adding 13 points Saturday evening.