Wolves move one win from third straight state tourney

Maywood-Hayes Center junior Kiley Hejtmanek stays focused on her jump shot among Medicine Valley defenders during their D2-8 subdistrict final at Maywood Thursday evening. The Wolves advanced with a win.

Steve Towery/McCook Gazette

MAYWOOD, Neb. — The Maywood-Hayes Center girls are one win from a third straight state basketball tournament following their 49-34 win over Medicine Valley Thursday evening.

Coach Kim Stengel’s wolves (23-3 record) showed their usual championship toughness during this D2-8 subdistrict final.

They took an 11-5 lead through the first quarter then pulled away to 26-12 by halftime.

Senior Stevie Handsaker and Maywood Hayes-Center ran into a tough shot-blocking Medicine Valley squad Thursday night. The Raiders had blocked 19 shots in their previous two games as 5'10" freshman Remmi Stout got a hand on this but M-HC still prevailed to be D2-8 subdistrict champs.

Steve Towery/McCook Gazette

M-HC defense held Medicine Valley to 30 points below its 64-44 semifinal win over Loomis on Tuesday.

Junior Lexi Wood’s 13 points on 63 percent shooting (five for eight) powered the M-HC offense while classmate Kiley Hejtman hit for 11 points.

Olivia Hansen added eight points while freshman Reagan Stengel stepped up to add seven.

Senior Stevie Handsaker’s six points and four from freshman Kesli Cox finished this big win.

Hansen and Hejtmanek both made a pair of three-pointers.

Sophomore Stella Heapy’s 13 points paced the M.V. Raiders, who continue to improve with young players. Freshman Remmi Stout scored seven and senior Kaylyn Roblee six in her final Raider basketball game.