Roughriders deliver in D1 playoff opener

Playoff intensity could be seen on both faces as Southwest freshman Caylin Barnett (above) drives past Arapahoe senior Terri Hilker during their D1-11 subdistrict opener at McCook High School Monday evening. Barnett scored a team-high 14 points

Steve Towery/McCook Gazette

McCOOK, Neb. — Southwest’s talented freshmen all turned their eyes to basketball’s biggest platform on a wonderful Monday where no school took place.

Senior Jadyn Brooks stepped up and showed why she could be a future female president if Roughrider fans all cast their votes as adults.

Unlike what America will likely see often during another election year, Brooks’ message did not disappoint any of her constituency in a 44-42 playoff battle vs. Arapahoe.

Good and good!

Both free throws were delivered perfectly for a 46-42 Southwest lead and — moments later —the ’Riders were celebrating their 48-45 win.

They’d conquered a 2-21 Arapahoe team that certainly never quit.

Their future also certainly looks brighter as sophomore Emilee Hanke swished two huge three-pointers to help erase Southwest’s 32-25 lead through three periods.

The Warriors even took a 38-37 lead thanks to senior Terri Hilker’s all-out diving effort.

Hilker pushed the loose basketball ahead to teammate Tracy Roskop. The sophomore broke free and buried two free throws for a sudden Arapahoe lead.

Yet these Roughriders don’t worry about debating what went wrong in their district.

Instead, sophomore Bailey Oltmer’s offensive putback regained a 39-38 before freshman Bailey Truska added another free throw.

Youth was served again as Warrior sophomore Hope Kollar scored inside for a 40-40 tie.

Now it was freshman Truksa’s turn again.

Playoff pressure? What pressure?

Truska swished a tie-breaking three faster than Nancy Pelosi tearing up President Trump’s State of The Union speech.

Ugh. Enough political references.

The President’s Day playoff game would not depend on posturing.

Brooks buried a third free throw, Barnett added one and Southwest was advancing in the D-11 subdistrict race.

The Roughriders (8-12 record) will get a shot at No. 1-seed Dundy County-Stratton (16-5) in tonight’s 6:30 p.m. semifinal at McCook High School.

They’ll try to avenge the 59-37 loss less than two weeks ago when Southwest actually shot a higher percentage (36) than DC-S (34).

ROUGHRIDERS (48) — Caylin Barnett 14 points, Bailey Truksa 13, Jadyn Brooks 10, Johanna Sughroue 5, Haylee Adams 3, Baily Oltmer 3. Three-pointers: Truksa 2.

WARRIORS (45) — Emilee Hanke 14 points, Hope Koller 12, Terri Hilker 9, Gentry Warner 6, Tracy Roskop 3, Emerson Swanson 1. Three-pointers: Hanke 2, Hilker.