Bison girls frustrate Bulldogs, 54-41

McCook senior Mackenzie Smith (50) has two hands on the basketball to only one for Gering 5’10” post Jenna Balthazor during another Bison victory Thursday evening at Gering. Smith finished with 18 points.

R.B. Headley/McCook Gazette

GERING, Neb. — McCook High’s girls threw blankets all over the Gering Bulldog attack and brilliantly conquered game one of their Panhandle polar adventure Thursday evening.

“We couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn tonight,” Gering coach Steve Land told the Scottsbluff Star-Herald following a 54-41 McCook victory.

The Bison captured their 10th this season by scoring 15 points above their season points average.

Senior Mackenzie Smith scored 11 inside before halftime, then sophomore guard Liviya Wier fired up her Bison with 13 points after intermission.

McCook’s 14-2 surge starting the fourth quarter got Gering (9-9) so frustrated that one player earned a technical foul for reportedly pushing Smith.

The 6’ post calmly hit three of her four throws following this call.

Moments later, sophomore Tiara Matson’s basket made it 52-32 which closed any potential barn-door comebacks.

The Bison (10-9 record) also earned their sixth win in eight games while starting on coach Amy Scheil’s ultimate goal.

“We need to go into this weekend willing to put it on the line,” Scheil remarked Thursday morning. “We need to put it all together and have everyone playing at the top of their games going into subdistricts.”

McCook meets Scottsbluff (9-10) today before starting the subdistrict on Monday at North Platte.

The Bison are seeded second behind N.P. and will play No. 3 Lexington.

North Platte (9-9) rallied to beat Scottsbluff, 61-57, Thursday night.

The Bison made more strides toward Scheil’s goal thanks to good bench play.

Senior post Jayceea Hanson drew her third foul midway through quarter two.

Sophomore Elsa Wilcox stepped in to score two basket which helped build a 23-17 halftime lead.

Freshman Sierra Kotchwar added one late clinching basket while teammates cheered.

Junior Brolin Morgan, sophomores Emma Kehler, Ashley Miller and Megan Hodgson were other contributors as Scheil played 11 Bison Thursday night.

“I have been very pleased with our girls’ willingness to learn and get better,” Scheil concluded. “They are really starting to connect the dots.”

Freshman starter Peyton Doucet added eight points, including the game’s first basket off an assist from Wier.

BISON (54) — Liviya Wier 19 points, Mackenzie Smith 18, Peyton Doucet 8, Elsa Wilcox 4, Tiara Matson 3, Sierra Kotchwar 2.

BULLDOGS (41) — Kelly Snelling and Cloe Fries scored eight points each to lead 9-9 Gering.