Broncos survive against Falcons

Connie Jo Discoe/McCook Daily Gazette Hitchcock County's Joshua Kershaw (21 dark) takes a 3-pointer over the top of the outstretched arms of Wauneta-Palisade defenders Chad Flaig (11) and Russell Ridlen (31) during the Nebraska Class D1-11 sub-district championship game Thursday night at the McCook High School gym. Kershaw scored 9 points in the game, won by Wauneta-Palisade 53-38.

Wauneta-Palisade

will play Leyton

in district finals

The Wauneta-Palisade Broncos, ranked No. 1 in Nebraska Class D1, moved one step closer to a return trip to the state basketball tournament.

However, Thursday night's 53-38 victory over Hitchcock County in the Class D1-11 sub-district championship game at the McCook High School gymnasium was anything but easy.

The Broncos, now 21-0, were 0-for-12 from 3-point range. Their shooting woes and the familiarity of playing the Falcons for the fourth time this season contributed to the close score.

Wauneta-Palisade's previous lowest margin of victory against the Falcons this year was 28 points.

The Broncos jumped out to a 9-0 lead and led 16-6 after one quarter. The Broncos led 29-11 before the Falcons hit the final 4 points of the first half.

The Falcons outscored the Broncos 14-12 in the third quarter to cut Wauneta-Palisade's lead to 41-29.

Hitchcock County hit two free throws to cut the Broncos' lead to 10 points at 41-31.

The Broncos went on an 8-0 run to make the score 49-31 and hit 8-of-8 free throws down the stretch.

Wauneta-Palisade's Andrew Isom, who led all scorers with 20 points, made 6-of-6 free throws in the fourth quarter. Marc Klima, who scored 11 points, added 2-of-2 foul shots in the final frame and 3-of-6 for the game.

The Broncos outscored the Falcons 12-9 in the fourth quarter and made 16-of-22 free throws for the game.

Trevor Ridlen contributed 14 points for the Broncos, including 6-of-6 free throws. Russell Ridlen added 7 points and Taylor Dixon 1.

John Thompson and Josh Kershaw each scored 9 points for the Falcons, who finished the season with an 18-6 record.

Sam Matson added 6 points, Orrin Riggs 5, David Paprocki 4, Austin Renfro 3 and Tyrel Riggs 2.

Hitchcock County coach Mike Tines said he was proud of his team for battling hard against Wauneta-Palisade.

"I am very proud of the boys' effort," Tines said. "They played to win and just didn't go to the hoop enough. I could not have asked for a better group of young men to coach. They will always remember this as a special season.

"I think we had Wauneta-Palisade worried. We outscored them in the third quarter. We made their kids play the whole game. Our kids handled the ball well against their press.

"Give a lot of credit to Dave (Kuhlen, Wauneta-Palisade coach). He's made a real commitment to the program and they will make it to state four years in a row. They're in no matter what happens Tuesday (district finals). They're nothing but a class organization. Hopefully they will win state."

Hitchcock County finished the season with an 18-6 record. Four of the losses came against the Broncos.

The Falcons will lose six seniors to graduation -- David Paprocki, Adam Wright, John Thompson, Joshua Kershaw, Austin Scott and Tyrel Riggs.

Wauneta-Palisade advanced to the Class D-6 district title game Tuesday against Leyton, which defeated Potter-Dix 65-41 Thursday in the Class D1-12 sub-district game.

The location of the Wauneta-Palisade vs. Leyton game and the time of tip-off has not been decided.

Wauneta-Palisade: Dixon 1, Trevor Ridlen 14, Marc Klima 11, Russell Ridlen 7, Andrew Isom 20.

Hitchcock County: S.Matson 6, Paprocki 4, J.Thompson 9, Josh Kershaw 9, O.Riggs 5, T.Riggs 2, Renfro 3.