Trojans join Wolves as holiday tourney finalists tonight

PAXTON, Neb. — Junior Olivia Hansen made the Paxton Pre-Holiday Tournament opener a happy one indeed for Maywood-Hayes Center fans Monday evening.

Hansen scored 29 points, swiped seven steals and grabbed five rebounds in the unbeaten Wolves’ 54-41 victory over Mullen.

Senior Stevie Handsaker’s 12 points and 13 rebounds from junior Lexi Wood helped power M-HC to an eighth straight victory (8-0).

Coach Kim Stengel’s girls take on host Paxton (5-3) for the tourney title tonight.

The Wolves took a 28-21 lead into halftime Monday night only to see those Mullen Broncos (4-2) close within 36-33 through three periods.

Yet in typical M-HC fashion. the girls finished on a strong 18-8 run.

Wood only attempted four shots, but made three for seven points.

Sophomore Ellie Broz’s four ponts and junior Kiley Hejtmanek’s two completed the scoring for M-HC.

Freshman Reagan Stengel hustled to four rebounds.

In boys action, Maywood-Hayes Center also reached tonight’s finals with a well-earned 43-40 victory over Mullen on Monday.

No individual stats were obtained. The Wolves (4-4) will play 4-4 host Paxton in their title game following girls’ action.

Maenwhile, the Cambridge girls came through to score a strong 30-22 over Class D-1 powerhouse Pleasanton Monday evening.

The Trojans (4-3) turned an early 9-4 deficit into a 17-13 halftiem advantage. They only allowed one Pleasanton point through the entire third quarter while moving in front 21-14.

No other details are obtained. Cambridge will play in the Pleasanton Holiday Tournament title game today.

The Cambridge boys fell short, 59-44, to Pleasanton on Monday. They’ve lost two since reaching 5-0 with a home win over Loomis last week.