Red Devils rally and win like a state Top 10 team

Decatur Community, Kan., coachBrandon Gehring congratulates Red Devils like sophomore Jori Fortin (4) following their 55-50 Cattle Trail comeback win over Arapahoe Tuesday afternoon at McCook High.

R.B. Headley/McCook Gazette

McCOOK, Neb. — The feisty, talented Arapahoe Warriors couldn’t quite contain that one warrior who ignited her Decatur Community-Oberlin Red Devils on Tuesday.

Following a scoreless first half, senior Brylee Minnick netted 14 points which turned around this Cattle Trail Tournament opening game.

Senior Maria Rodriguez also delivered many of her game-high 17 points leading to a super 55-50 comeback victory.

“Brylee’s just a warrior. Her shot wasn’t falling in the first half, but we told her to keep attacking the basket and she did,” coach Brandon Gehring explained. “And it was big to have Maria out there in the second half.”

The Red Devils (2-0) overcame a 17-0 Arapahoe run to put those other Warriors ahead 26-9.

In fact, Arapahoe still led by 17 at 30-13 with twin sisters Suttyn and Saywer Shafer dividing 25 points.

However, Decatur showed why media have ranked them as a 1A Top 10 team already this season.

“We saw that, which is exciting,” Gehring concluded. “We just want to keep playing one more game (in the Cattle Trail) and see where it goes.”

The Devils meet Maywood-Hayes Center Friday.

RED DEVILS (55) — Maria Rodriguez 17 points, Brylee Minnick 14, Elsie Larson 9, Jori Fortin 6, Lauren May 5, Shelbi Wiegel 2, Karen Molina 2. Three-pointers: Fortin 2, May.

WARRIORS (50) — Suttyn Shafer 13, Sawyer Shafer 12, Clara Hilker 10, Chloe Gooden 9, Emma Strand 4, Ryleigh Tidyman 2. Three-pointers: Suttyn Shafer 2, Gooden.