Bison defense fueled SWC girls win; Bow makes five FGs
BROKEN BOW, Neb. — When they get mad, McCook High’s basketball girls get even.
The No. 3-seed Broken Bow Indians rolled into Southwest Conference tournament play with four losses all season....
Then promptly made just five field goals ALL GAME against the McCook Bison defense.
Yup, five for 33 adds up to all of 15.6 percent.
Senior Paige Bortner powered up her rebounding totals with 14 while sophomore Cali Crawford returned from sickness to secure 14.
Meanwhile, junior Jaylea Walgren and freshman Alice Weimer made five shots from beyond the three-point arc.
They shot 71 percent (five for seven) with Weimer going two for two.
Yet it was still defense that decided a super 44-36 victory for visiting No. 6-seed McCook.
It really wasn’t that close except some missed free throws during a 16-5 Bow fourth quarter.
McCook led 39-20 through three periods and coach Amy Scheil couldn’t say enough about her team’s response following a double-overtime Friday home loss to North Platte.
“Our starters did a great job controlling the tempo of the game and working out a game plan,” she remarked. “Everyone did a nice job setting each other up for better and easier shots. Great team win.”
Scheil also praised the Bison defense beyond those five determined starters.
Take senior Lacyn Keller and junior Brecken Gale as great examples besides younger Bison like Weimer.
“Our bench came in and played great giving us quality minutes and really helping us continue to grow the lead,” she concluded. “Laycn and Brecken came in and gave us a defensive spark while Alice made a couple threes.”
The Bison now get ready for Friday’s 8 p.m. semifinal vs. No. 2 Gothenburg at Kearney High School.
Bison winning numbers
McCOOK (12-5) — Jaylea Walgren 13 points, Paige Bortner 8, Malia Hilker 7, Alice Weimer 6, Brooklynn Gillen 5, Cali Crawford 5. Three-pointers: Walgren 3, Weimer 2, Hilker, Crawford.
Rebound leaders: Paige Bortner 14, Cali Crawford 14, Walgren 9, Gillen 5.
Assists: Paige Bortner 6, Gillen 2, Crawford 2.
Steals: Paige Bortner and Brooklynn Gillen with 1 each. Deflections: Malia Hilker 3, Paige Bortner 3. Blocked shot: Cali Crawford.
BROKEN BOW (12-5) — Gaby Staples’ 12 points, eight rebounds and three steals led Bow.