Trojans top rival Eagles in playoff semifinal

Wednesday, February 14, 2018
Cambridge defenders Korynn Clason (left) and Bria Tomlin presented double trouble for Southern Valley senior Cassie Bose in this C2-10 subdistrict play at McCook Tuesday night.
Steve Towery/McCook Gazette

McCOOK, Neb. — What better time for Cambridge girls to bring their “A” games than Tuesday night’s playoff opener?

Coach Jared Albers certainly couldn’t complain following a 46-35 win over rival Southern Valley at the Peter & Dolores Graff Events Center.

The Trojans (18-5 record) took their first big step towards an obvious ultimate goal:

A third straight trip to Lincoln for state!

“I hate to say it, but I kind of feel this team just got through the season to get to this point,” Albers remarked following the C2-10 subdistrict semifinal win. “They were definitely ready tonight. Our seniors want the three straight state tournaments.”

Southern Valley (15-9 record) had won eight straight games this season until last week’s home loss to Dundy County-Stratton.

The Eagles didn’t recover enough Tuesday night.

They saw their season end on that same floor where Southern Valley celebrated RPAC basketball and volleyball titles in 2017-18.

“We had a good season, but it’s frustrating because we didn’t bring our best game tonight,” SV coach Jeff Ellis said. “We were a little flat, just like we were agains Dundy last week.”

Ellis’ team still only trailed 23-20 until Cambridge delivered three huge second-half punches.

The Trojans unleashed a 9-0 blast feauring Korynn Clason and Shaye Porter buring three-pointers.

They both scored a game-high 18 points to lead Cambridge.

The Eagles quickly cut that 32-20 margin to 32-26 on senior Cassie Bose’s triple.

Yet senior Bria Tomlin promptly rang the bell from long distance, and KateLynn Benson’s jumper made it 37-26 through three quarters.

Again, Bose brougth the Eages within 37-32 only to see Cambridge tally another six clinching points.

TROJANS (46) — Shaye Porter 18 points, Korynn Clason 18, Baylee Miller 4, Bria Tomlin 3, KateLynn Benson 2, Kati Moore 1. Three-pointers: Tomlin, Porter, Clason.

SV EAGLES (35) — Senior Cassie Bose’s 14 points led the Eagles with Janessa Kring adding eight.

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