'Great energy', soph's 27 points power Arapahoe into D-1 state

SHELTON, Neb. — Sophomore Sawyer Shafer’s 27 points were one of many reasons why the Arapahoe girls beat Shelton, 67-55, to win a Class D1-2 district title Friday night.

The Warriors (21-5 record) shot to a 21-14 lead through one quarter and controlled this contest behind 75 percent shooting from junior Clara Hilker, who hit three of four shots en route to another 13 points.

Senior Emma Strand scored 10 and sophomore Suttyn Shafer added another nine.

Senior Chloe Gooden’s six points and two from classmate Ryleigh Tidyman completed this attack.

The Warriors will take on No. 1 Bloomfield Wednesday morning at 9 a.m. to start D-1 state action in Lincoln’s Bob Devaney Center.

Coach Preston Blackmore added about these insights as the Warriors have gradually worked into a state-qualifying program.

A championship team photo appears today on Page 11.

“That was pretty awesome! Great atmosphere. Just super proud of the girls for the way they played all game long and how they stayed composed throughout the game,” he said. “You could tell before the game that these girls were ready for the moment. Lots of great energy and confidence.

I was nervous about how we would start the game due to not having played for about 11 days, but they settled in pretty quickly.

Great team effort. Grateful we get the opportunity to have another week of basketball.”