GINW girls end McCook's season at district tourney

Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Connie Jo Discoe/McCook Daily Gazette McCook High School freshman Emilyne Nichols (42) takes care of the basketball Tuesday night against Grand Island Northwest's Taylor Johnson (35) in the Nebraska Class B-5 district quarterfinals. GINW defeated the Bison 52-28. Nichols scored 5 points.

GRAND ISLAND -- The 2008-09 season came to an end for the McCook High School girls basketball team with a 52-28 loss Tuesday night to Grand Island Northwest in the quarterfinals of the Nebraska Class B-5 district tournament.

In the other quarterfinal game, Lexington defeated Hastings 49-41.

The games were played the Grand Island Senior High School gymnasium.

GINW will play Holdrege at 6 p.m. Thursday in the district semifinals. The other semifinal starts at 7:45 p.m. Thursday and features Lexington (13-8) against Hastings-Adams Central (17-4).

The championship game is 7 p.m. Friday.

The district winner advances to the Class B state tournament March 5-7 at Lincoln.

Five seniors played their final games for the Bison, who finished the season with an 8-16 record. They were Tara Powell, Joanna Bryant, Hanah Swanhorst, Brianna Watkins and Sydney Jumps.

The McCook girls trailed 11-2 after one quarter and 33-7 at halftime. The Bison outscored the Vikings 21-19 in the second half.

"The girls played hard, but we had a difficult time hitting shots tonight and when you want to press and play full court basketball you need to make baskets," said McCook girls coach Barry Schaeffer. "The first half we took good shots but could not get any of them to fall and it really wore on us as the half continued.

"Northwest is a much improved team and probably is the hottest team coming in to the district tournament and that makes them very dangerous. Our inability to make shots, really allowed them to play to their strengths. The girls competed in the second half we were able to generate some more turnovers and make a few more shots, but the deficit we went in to half time with was too much and we were not able to overcome it.

"This season did not go entirely like we would have wanted but the kids did some good things throughout the season. We had some individual records set and we competed with teams on our schedule. This was the last game for our five seniors Joanna, Hanah, Sydney, Brianna and Tara.

"I have enjoyed working with them over the past four years and have seen them grow and players and as individuals, they are a great group of young ladies and it has been a privilege to have the opportunity to coach them. I want to thank them for their efforts.

"I look forward to working with the kids who return next season, we gained some valuable experience this year and it will benefit us next season. For us to be a better team next season these girls need to make a commitment to improving their basketball skills over the offseason.

"Thanks to all the fans who followed us throughout the season, thanks to the parents for their support of the team and thanks to my assistant coaches Robin Henrichs, Tracey Fisher and Jon Graff for the dedication to the kids and the program this season.

Powell led the Bison in scoring against the Vikings with 6 points. Emilyne Nichols and Jumps each scored 5, Swanhorst 4, Bryant 3, Watkins 3 and Bonnie Dominguez 2.

Emily Jones led the Vikings (12-7) with 15 points. Jenna Rouzee added 13 and Kelly Olsufka 10.

Terah Maloley led Lexington against Hastings with 16 points. Hailey Mandelko and Jennifer Gnirk each scored 12. Kaylin Cook paced the Tigers with 10.

Class B-5 district at Grand Island

GINW (12-7) 11 22 10 9 -- 52

McCook (8-16) 2 5 11 10 -- 28

GINW: Havranek 4, Rouzee 13, Olsufka 10, Johnson 2, Jones 15, Myers 4, Boehler 4.

McCook: Powell 6, Bryant 3, Dominguez 2, Swanhorst 4, Nichols 5, Watkins 3, Jumps 5.

Lexington (13-8) 9 16 13 11 -- 49

Hastings (2-18) 8 6 16 11 -- 41

Lexington: Maloley 16, Otero 6, O'Meara 3, Mandelko 12, Gnirk 12.

Hastings: Schaffer 8, Kern 2, Mays 8, Price 7, Rundle 6, Cook 10.

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