Continuing the Crook County News Since 1884

Girls split this week's games

The Moorcroft Wolves were in town for senior night at Sundance High School on Friday. As lone senior Madison Gill took the home floor for her final night of play, the Lady Bulldogs turned up the intensity looking to avenge the 32 point loss they suffered in January.

The Lady Wolves continued their quality play, taking control of the game from the start. Leading 14-6 after the first quarter, the Lady Wolves were controlling the momentum of the game. The quarter break gave the Bulldogs a timeout and chance to talk over their strategy.

Coming out with a new game plan, Sundance continued to struggle against the scrappy defense of the Wolves. A technical foul on the Sundance coach got not only the crowd riled up but also the players. Cana McInerney went on an 8-0 run knocking down a shot from beyond the arc, three free-throws and a layup to help close the gap to three by halftime.

The second half saw the intensity continue to improve for the Sundance Bulldogs as Sherri Negaard knocked down a one and one to tie the score at 28 with 3:46 left to play in the third. But when the Bulldogs hit a scoring slump, their defense and rebounding helped them keep the score close.

With 11.1 seconds left, Jolleen Pollat came up with an offensive rebound on a missed shot and scored to make it 45-49. Sundance called a time out to set up a full court press.

The quick hands of Aftyn Marchant caused a Moorcroft turnover to give the ball back to Sundance and Madison Gill made a quick shot to add 2 more points for the Bulldogs 47-49.

With 4.5 seconds left on the clock and trailing by 2, the Bulldogs called another time out to set up the press. But instead of a steal the Bulldogs were forced to foul, sending Kaylee Terry to the foul line for the Lady Wolves.

Making one of the two free-throws, the Bulldogs were now down by 3 with 1.4 seconds left. Sundance called another time out to set up their last second play. Getting the ball in, they charged down the floor but the buzzer rang before a shot was taken and Moorcroft took the win 50-47.

Back in action on Saturday, the Bulldogs travelled to Hulett to face the Red Devils for the final regular season game. A close game to start, the Bulldogs were able to find the open shots and control the boards to distance themselves from the Red Devils. Leading by 11 at halftime, the Bulldogs were able maintain their cushion and walk away with an 11-point win, 48-37.

Sherri Negaard and Madison Gill led the charge with 10 points, while Teddi Marchant controlled the boards pulling down 8 for the night.

The Sundance girls' basketball team will start post-season play as the #4 seed when they take on the #1 seed from the South, the Southeast Cyclones at 10:30 am on Thursday in Wright. If they lose, they will play the loser from the Lusk / Wright game at 9am Friday at Thunder Basin High School. If they win, they will face the Lusk / Wright winner, Friday, at 4:30pm at Gillette College with the winner qualifying for state.

Stats from the game:

Sundance vs. Moorcroft

Scoring: McInerney 13 (5/6 FT), Negaard 9 (4/8 FT), M. Gill 7 (5/9 FT), N. Gill 6, A. Marchant 5(1/1 FT), Pollat 4, T. Marchant 3 (3/4 FT)Rebound leaders:M. Gill 8, T. Marchant 7, Negaard 5

Steal leaders: A. Marchant 3

Sundance vs. Hulett

Scoring: Negaard 10 (0/1 FT), M. Gill 10 (2/5 FT), McInerney 6 (2/2FT), A. Marchant 6, N. Gill 5 (2/2 FT), T. Marchant 3 (3/9 FT), Heaster 3 (1/3 FT), Pollat 2, Amann 2, Ba. Hofland 1 (1/2FT)

Rebound leaders: T. Marchant 8, Ba. Hofland 5

Steal leaders: Heaster 5