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Tigers take down tall Irish for state spot
BARTLEY, Neb. — Tall or short makes no difference when you’re a Dundy County-Stratton Tiger eyeing the girls state basketball tournament.
Nor does losing two starters because of fouls about halfway through the fourth quarter.
Whistle blowers banished senior point guard Sable Lambley and junior Maggie Lutz to the bench following their fifth violations.
Other Tigers reacted with two words:
“Be confident,” senior Jessie Freeland succinctly said while junior McKinzie Baney agreed Friday evening.
Sure, the North Platte St. Patrick’s Irish were formidable with 6’ senior post Jocelyn Sellers.
“Wow, she’s tall,” Freeland conquered.
And yes, Irish hopes were high considering they conquered the Tigers in Benkelman barely two weeks ago.
The Tigers (18-6 record) had droppedthree of four entering this Class D-1 district final.
“We got beat pretty bad by Cambridge last week (49-34 in the subdistrict final),” coach Matt Thomas confirmed. “I don’t think too many were expecting us to win tonight.”
All facts which made Friday night just as fresh and fun as ever.
The Tigers were true underdogs who delighted in a thrilling 46-43 victory at Southwest High School.
Taller Irish girls simply couldn’t touch all those clutch Tiger shots going through Southwest High School nets.
Whoosh! DC-S girls breezed in to take a quick 11-2 lead.
Swish! Senior Jessie Freeland hit her first three-pointer and junior Haylee Davis soon went deep to make it 19-12.
The Irish (17-8) caught DC-S at 20-20 only to see senior Sydney Reichert make two breaking free throws.
The Irish were then chasing speedy distance runner Lambley when she spotted an open Freeland again.
In your face, every tall person! Freeland’s corner bomb regained a 28-23 Tiger lead.
All their height, all their pressure and efforts could never draw the Irish even again.
Not with Baney saying timber! with another long bomb to regain a 35-27 Tiger lead.
Dundy County-Stratton was clearly focused on making another state tournament — the fourth straight for seniors Freeland, Lambley, Reichert and Taryn Burrell.
“Every year is different and this is our team,” Freeland and fellow guard Baney agreed. “We’re known more for outside shooting.”
Baney’s 17 points would top the Tiger state clincher with Reichert adding 12 and Freeland eight.
Baney hit two of her patented runners for a 39-31 advantage.
The Irish made their expected rally while fouls took out Lutz then Lambley.
They even closed within 41-40 but couldn’t match those biggest Tiger hits.
In fact, St. Patrick’s missed five consecutive free throws during that final quarter. Baney and others made just enough.
lDC-S (46) — McKinzie Baney 17 points, Sydney Reichert 12, Jessie Freeland 8, Maggie Lutz 4, Haylee Davis 3, Sable Lambley 2. Three-pointers: Freeland 2, Davis, Lutz, Baney. Rebounds leader: Reichert 9. Assists: Lambley 6. Steals: Baney 3.
NPSP (43) — Individual stats not obtained for Irish.