McCook girls plan to build on skirmish with No. 1 Skutt

OMAHA, Neb. — How many other district finalist teams delivered a shutout fourth quarter and 26-8 final run last weekend?

“I am very pleased with our girls effort and fight in the Skutt game. They never gave up which was awesome to see,” coach Amy Scheil said about McCook’s B-1 district final against No. 1 Omaha Skutt Catholic.

Junior Brooklynn Gillen achieved a four-point play after missing four games due to her injury vs. Gering on Feb. 9.

Gillen was fouled while hitting her first triple of this contest then added a free throw.

Juniors Paige Bortner and Malia Hilker alsomade long three-pointers plus don’t forget reserve Ryleigh Leibbrandt’s game-ending free throws.

Yet the 69-37 Skyhawks victory showed McCook what must be done better to reach a third district final in four seasons during 2024-25.

“We are going to put a lot of work in on press break, confidence and shooting,” Scheil said.”Our girls have made great strides in these areas over the season so we just need to continue to grind and continue to improve.”

Plus don’t spot a team like Skutt (25-1) leads of 23-4, 39-9 and eventually 61-11.

Sharpest Skyhawk Molly Ladwiig scored 1o points among her game-high 24 before the 23-4 first quarter was finished. Payton McCabe added 21 as the Skyhawks showed why they’re 79-5 during these last three seasons.

Exactly four of those five losses are to co-Class B power Elkhorn North, who could see the Skyhawks again in those Class B state finals Saturday.

“Unfortunately, Skutt came out extremely hot in their shooting the first half and we didn’t,” Scheil confirmed. “The second half we heated up and became more relaxed and got some steals.”

McCook’s 10 wins overall still matched its best victory season total since 2018. The Bison will continue pursuing their first winning record since 2013, when they finished 21-5.

Omaha Skutt 69, McCook 37

McCOOK (10-13 final record) — Brooklynn Gillen 13 points (10 of 13 free throws), Paige Bortner 10, Malia Hilker 3, Cali Crawford 3, Kori Rippen 2, Jaylea Walgren 2, Ryleigh Leibbrandt 2. Three-pointers: Paige Bortner 2, Hilker, Gillen, Crawford.

Rebound leaders: Rippen 3, Walgren 3, Crawford 3. Assists: Brooklynn Gillen 3, Rippen 2, Walgren 2. Steals: Brooklynn Gillen 2. Blocked shot: Kori Rippen.

OMAHA SKUTT CATHOLIC (25-1) — Molly Ladwig’s 24 points led the Class B No. 1 Skyhawks while Payton McCabe scored 21 points on Saturday.