Wauneta-Palisade girls even score with mighty M-HC

Wauneta-Palisade senior Alexa Sandman drives downcourt en route to 17 points which led the Broncos' 61-57 win over Maywood-Hayes Center Friday night in Hayes Center. Both teams are hosting D-2 subdistrict tournaments this week.

Allison Sandman/Imperial Republican

HAYES CENTER, Neb. — Payback took exactly two months, but it was worth the wait for every Wauneta-Palisade player and fan Friday evening.

Hayes Center became party central as the W-P girls evened this rivalry, 61-57 with those Cattle Trail and RPAC champion Wolves.

M-HC (21-3) erased a 16-point Bronco lead to win the Dec. 11 Cattle Trail Tourney title game.

But on Feb. 11, it was Wauneta-Palisade (17-5) who wiped out an early 14-7 Wolves lead.

The Broncos moved in front, 28-27, by halftime before bulding that margin to 44-39 through three periods.

They added 17 more points to stop any M-HC rallies in this rematch.

“I loved our composure, especially in the fourth quarter, with all the momentum swings that happened,” coach Matt Cox observed. “To grab a huge win to end the regular season. It’ll be a great confidence booster heading into post season play!”

Senior Alexa Sandman brought 17 points to the “party” while pulling in six rebounds, swiping five steals and delivering four assists.

Plus “seeing double” never looked better to even the most veteran Bronco fans.

Sophomore Peyton Cox put in 15 points with 14 rebounds, while junior Chloe Stehno hustled through her 12-point/10 rebound performance.

Stenho also took five steals from some strong M-HC playmakers, and sophomore GraCee Goings added a team-best five assists.

Wauneta Palisade finished its 10th win in 11 games entering this week’s subdistrict tournament at Wauneta.

“We showed a lot of resilience to go on the road, late in the season, and win a game of that magnitude,” coach Cox concluded.

The Broncos’ only loss was a 53-51 overtime RPAC tourney surprise to Wallace — who are seeded second behind W-P for this subdistrict.

Meanwhile, the Wolves will host their own subdistrict at Maywood starting Tuesday night. They’ll be trying to stop a rare two-game slide following their Tuesday night loss vs. South Platte.

Senior Stevie Handsaker achieved her own “double double” of 17 points, 13 rebounds.

Juniors Kiley Hejtmanek contributed 13 points, Olivia Hansen 10 and freshman Reagan Stengel scored eight.

However, M-HC hit only hit 19 of 69 field goals (28 percent).