Queen Bees sting fast for state win over Arapahoe

Arapahoe junior Clara Hilker (24) powered inside for 12 points despite the leaping efforts of Bloomfield defenders like Kysa Loeker (11) and Aleah James (2) at the Class D-1 state tournament Thursday morning.

Steve Towery/McCook Gazette

LINCOLN, Neb. — These Bees are just starting to make honey with freshmen and sophomores filling almost every clutch role.

Arapahoe’s Warriors ran into these Queen Bees from Bloomfield at D-1 state on Thursday — and it felt similar to what happened in last week’s district final with Wauneta-Palisade.

The Bees struck for 28 first-quarter points vs. W-P to earn a state spot — then lit up Pinnacle Bank nets with another 26 in those first eight minutes vs. Arapahoe.

Although the No. 8 Warriors kept hustling throughout this great state-qualifying finale, they never could quite overcome that 26-11 first quater despite senior Chloe Gooden’s buzzer-beating “triple.”

Bloomfield sophomore Madyson Mlady struck for 24 points, freshman Kennedy Mlady netted 19 and soph Haley Eisenhauer 13 in a 73-52 Queen Bees victory.

The 26-0 Bloomfield team advances into Friday’s D-1 state semifinals.

Meanwhile, the Warriors finish a superb 21-6 with all against at least district finalist teams.

They struggled through a 19-9 second quarter where Madisyn Mlady scored 12 points.

Sophomore Aleah James’ two early long-range threes had sparked the Bees to that strong first-period lead.

However, Arapahoe showed its no-quit work ethic that has been part of every Warrior team during recent seasons.

They outscored the Bees, 32-28, after intermission with sophomore Sawyer Shafer putting in 19 points during her state tourney debut.

Sawyer tallied eight through those final eight minutes.

Soph Suttyn Shafer tossed in another 10 for coach Preston Blackmore’s excellent program.

Junior Clara Hilker worked inside to also reach double figures with 12 while senior Ryleigh Tidyman added all five of her state tourney points in that second half.

A final highlight was senior Ruby McCune returning to score one late basket for her one state tournament appearance.

Hoiwever, many other to Warriors will return.

ARAPAHOE (52) — Sawyer Shafer 19 points, Suttyn Shafer 10, Clara Hilker 9, Ryleigh Tidyman 7, Chloe Gooden 3, Emma Strand 2, Ruby McCune 2. Three-pointers: Sawyer Shafer 4, Gooden, Suttyn Shafer.

BLOOMFIELD (73) — Madyson Mlady 24 points, Kennedy Mlady 19, Haley Eisnhauer 13, Aleah James 8, Harley Schmekpeper 6, Kysa Loeker 3. Three-pointers: Madison Mlady 2, James 2, Eisenhauer 2, Schmeckpeper 2, Loeker.