Lady cats finish season at regionals in Buffalo

Although they will not be moving on to the State Tournament, the Lady Cats finished their season with great heart and a ton of effort at the Regional Tournament in Buffalo last weekend.

The girls took on Douglas in their first game on Thursday, a team they were eager to meet again after a horrible loss to them just a few short weeks ago.

Head coach Cory Sova said the girls got off to a very competitive start although they didn't take care of the ball very well.

"The score was tied after the first period, which was a complete 180 compared to our regular season game where we were down 31-4 after one period," Sova said. "A definite credit to the girls about believing and never giving up."

The Lady Cats continued to struggle taking care of the ball in the second period and it cost them.

"We had 11 of our 26 turnovers in this quarter alone," Sova said, "and the game slipped away from us, although we never really got buried."

Douglas' press didn't really bother the girls, however, they did disrupt their half-court offense. The other thing that really hurt was Douglas' ability to get to the free-throw line, making 10 of 14 in the second quarter.

"Douglas is a very aggressive team, so its hard to justify how we could only get to the line 12 times compared to their 39," Sova said. "We kept battling in the second half, but couldn't get Douglas to turn the ball over as they did a good job protecting the ball with only five turnovers compared to the 13 they had in the first half."

Douglas hit three threes in the middle of the third quarter, just as the Lady Cats were beginning to make a nice run.

Sova said Makayla George played her best game of the season, leading the team with 13 points. She added four rebounds and three steals to her record, too.

"She brought energy and was focused and in control," Sova said.

Liz Rhodes also played well against Douglas, hitting three field goals and grabbing four rebounds to go along with a couple of steals.

Lizzy Lofink led with five assists, Ashlynn Weber pitched in with four rebounds and two assists while Mary Ryan stepped in, getting three rebounds.

Jules Ward also helped out, moving the ball well and gaining two assists.

McKenna Bomengen got to the rim a couple of times and grabbed a pair of rebounds. Korey Smith also helped out with two steals.

"I was happy how the kids competed," Sova said. "This 58-37 final was a far cry from the 77-25 spanking we received a month ago. The girls didn't back down."

On Friday, the girls played a "loser out" game against Wheatland, dropping that game 62-57, removing them from a chance at the State Tournament.

Sova said Friday's game came down to Wheatland's ability to shoot the ball. The girls battled hard, however, forcing 33 turnovers from the Lady Bulldogs.

"Wheatland made their first five three point attempts and only missed three the entire game," Sova said. "We were up 4-2 early, but they went on a huge 18-0 run with the help of the three pointers to lead 20-4 late in the first quarter.

"The girls could have given in, but they kept at it, cutting into the big lead, trailing 22-9 after the first period and 31-24 at the half."

The Lady Cats went right back into the game, but Wheatland made some big shots in the second half to up their lead to 49-35 early in the fourth.

"The girls chipped away and only trailed 56-51 with a couple of minutes left, but couldn't get over the hump," Sova said. "Another big key to the game was Wheatland stopping 11 of our shot attempts with blocks.

"I thought we drove the ball well to the basket and got knocked around a lot. Wheatland did a good job challenging our shots, but a number of times there were a lot of good attacks by us that weren't rewarded with trips to the free-throw line."

Haley McDermott did all she could to keep the Lady Cats in the game, making five free throws, two field goals and three, three pointers. Two steals were also part of her game on Friday.

"Her skills continue to grow and we are looking forward to seeing her play at an even higher level next year," Sova said. "Her commitment to the game is appreciated. She has, and continues to be, a super teammate to all. She simply is a quality student/athlete."

Sova said Weber played well in her final game as a Lady Bobcat, shooting well with 10 points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals.

"Ashlynn (Weber) is one of our most versatile players who ended her career being able to add to team productivity with more than just shooting," Sova said. "I was very happy how she stepped up her game the last few games of the season."

Lofink finished her career with a solid five assists, four steals and three rebounds.

"Lizzy (Lofink) was a player we needed on the court as she ensured we got the ball where it needed to be," Sova said, "and her quickness was definitely some of the best in the state. She competed hard, hated to lose, and cared deeply about team success."

According to Sova, Ward finisher her career as a Lady Bobcat guarding, undoubtedly, one of the top players in the state for any class.

"Jules (Ward) brought relentless defense each game and was also our most consistent rebounder," Sova said. "If you give Jules a task/challenge, the game is on."

Ward had five rebounds, three steals and two assists in her final game.

George continued her good play at the tournament with seven points against Wheatland, four rebounds and three steals.

"Her basketball skills have grown a bunch throughout her his school career," Sova said. "Each game she really wanted to play well and was awful tough on herself. She can look back at her final to games and be proud of her accomplishments."

Sova also complimented Smith on her play during the tournament.

"Korey (Smith) took the ball to the basket when we needed an offensive spark," he said. "Her capability to explode offensively this year was a nice weapon for us with her quick release. Her ability to shoot the ball helped leas us to a number of our victories and kept us competitive in others."

Smith was the leading defensive rebounder for the Lady Cats this year.

Sova calls the final senior on the team an outstanding young lady.

"Liz (Rhodes) knew her role as to back up Lizzy (Lofink) and Haley (McDermott) and she relished this role," he said. "She often gave us needed offensive spark and always had a super attitude, worked very hard in practice and did everything to the best of her ability. Her plans are to serve our country and I have no doubts she will do it with pride, honor and dignity."

In her last game, Rhodes hit a field goal to go along with three defensive rebounds and two steals.

Sova said there are some big shoes to fill with the graduating seniors, but feels Ryan, Bomengen and Sesi Jensen did some very nice things at the varsity level this season.

"Mary (Ryan) knows all of our offensive and defensive schemes well and fundamentally blocks out and shoots as well as her physical abilities allow," Sova said. "She is also a smart defensive player who pays attention to details. She worked on her offensive post moves and ended up with some of the best footwork on the team. She is undersized around the rim, but has learned how to compete at a high level."

Bomengen started out the year on the freshman and JV squads, but her overall skills and desire to improve and learn was impressive and Sova said she made the varsity team better in practice.

"She also had some great minutes in games and didn't play like a freshman," Sova said. "She had a lot of pressure playing multiple positions because of her versatility, but she handled it well."

Jensen was also moved up and got some quality varsity minutes.

"Although intimidated a bit by bigger, more experienced girls, she has been coming into her own," Sova said. "She is just beginning to see how good she can be. Her first step in driving the ball to the basket from the free-throw area is impressive. Her teammates state that she is one strong girl. As coaches, we're very excited about her progress and her future."

As the regional tournament closes out the Lady Cats' season, Sova said the girls are pleased with the parent, student and community support they received.

"They wanted so badly to qualify for the state tourney, but they have nothing to be ashamed of," he said. "They represented HSCHS well on and off the court.

"This was certainly a fun group as all 21 girls were a joy to work with every day. They also appreciated all the support they received from assistant coaches Hostetter, Mecca and Harvey."