D-1: Arapahoe girls overpowered early by defending state champs

Rochelle Wendland (40, front) of Arapahoe gets ready to launch a shot against Guardian Angels Central Catholic in Class D-1 girls state basketball tournament first-round action Thursday night at the Lincoln Northeast High School gym. Arapahoe was eliminated from state in an 83-28 loss. (Steve Kodad/McCook Daily Gazette)

STEVE KODAD

Gazette Sports Editor

LINCOLN, Neb. - It was state tournament experience vs. big stage rookies in the Class D-1 girls first-round basketball action Thursday night.

Experience won out.

Guardian Angels Central Catholic ran past Arapahoe, 83-28, in opening-round state tournament action at the Lincoln Northeast High School gym.

Arapahoe fell behind early, succumbing to pressure defense and an effective Guardian Angels fast-break offense.

The West Point parochial school is competing at the state tournament for the 16th consecutive year. The defending Class D-1 state champions also finished third in both 2010 and 2011. Guardian Angels C.C. also won four straight Class C-2 state titles in 2002-05, with a runner-up finish in C-2 in 2006. Arapahoe was making just its fourth appearance at state, including consecutive trips to Lincoln in 2007 and 2008.

Before fans could get settled into their seats, the West Point club led 9-0. The shellshocked Warriors fell behind 17-0 before Kaylea Watson finally broke the ice with a 3-pointer from the right corner with just under three minues left in the opening quarter.

Guardian Angels led 21-3 after one period.

The second quarter was a repeat performance, as the Bluejays continually applied full-court pressure both on defense and offense. Arapahoe struggled finding the basket and finding shot opportunities. Haile Stephens bombed in a long 3-pointer late in the quarter, but the Warriors trailed 44-9 at halftime.

The third quarter was a little better for Arapahoe, but the Warriors were still outscored 20-11 to fall behind 64-20.

Watson scored 11 of her team-high 14 points in the second half for Arapahoe.

The Warriors made just nine field goals for the game, but six of those made attempts came beyond the 3-point line.

Haley Guenther led a balanced Guardian Angels attack with 12 points.

Arapahoe ends the season with a 22-6 record. The Warriors won the D1-10 Sub-District Tournament with a 54-55 victory over Elwood Feb. 14. Arapahoe then ran past Almo, 52-36, in the D1-5 District final Feb. 22 at Bertrand to earn the trip to state.

Guardian Angels (23-3), the top seed in the Class D-1 state tournament field, advances to the semifinals to face St. Mary's (23-2) Friday at 8:45 p.m. at Pershing Auditorium.