Defending D-1 champs take Tigers out of district final

Dundy County-Stratton seniors Maggie Lutz (above) and McKinzie Baney (below) finished their DC-S basketball careers Friday. They reached the 2019 state finals and two tourneys.

Steve Towery/McCook Gazette

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. — Dundy County-Stratton’s five players teaming to hit six three-pointers couldn’t match what Pleasanton brought to their D1-1 district title game Friday night.

The Bulldogs buried 12 three-point shots, built a 40-9 halftime lead and never looked back during their 68-35 victory at Mid-Plains Community College.

DC-S (13-10 final record) didn’t quit as Tigers outscored those Bulldogs, 14-7, in that third period.

Steve Towery/McCook Gazette

Senior Maggie Lutz lit up the nets at a 67 percent clip (two for three) from long distance. Senior classmate McKinzie Baney, juniors Lillian Wiese, Ava Petersen and freshman Alyssa Schneider teamed to hit five of 10 three-point shots.

Yet the Bulldogs (25-1) finished with a 21-point fourth period which clinched their fourth consecutive Class D-1 state tournament spot.

They’ll return to Lincoln after completing an undefeated championship season in 2020.

Seniors Katy Lindner and Kaci Pierce both totaled 14 points to place the balanced P-Town attack. Senior Natalie Siegel added another 12 points on four trifectas.

Baney’s 13 points topped DC-S while completing her tenacious comeback from a broken bone in her leg earlier this season. Lutz and Schneider added eight points each.

Petersen and Wiese both scored the one three.

The Tigers hit 46 percent of three-pointers but only shot 24 percent inside that arc.

Baney and Lutz were a combined six-for-six at the foul line.

Sophomore Mica Donohue stepped up to match Lutz’s team-high five rebounds.