Girls headed to State BB

The Sundance girls’ basketball team punched their ticket to the state tournament this past weekend, taking second place in the 2A East Regional Tournament. It was a three-game weekend for the Lady Bulldogs coming into the tournament as the number two seed from the north.

In the first round, the Sundance team was up against the number three seed from the south, the Lusk Tigers. The Lady Bulldogs wasted no time putting the points on the board and taking a 17-7 lead in the first half.

Sundance continued to dominate the Lady Tigers throughout the second half of play, holding them to single digits each quarter. It was an all-around team effort by the Lady Bulldogs as Bailey Hofland led the team in scoring with 13 points, while teammates Cana McInerney and Brook Hofland controlled the boards for the Lady Bulldogs.

In the end, the Bulldogs easily moved on to the next round of play with a 41-18 victory over the Tigers.

A win in the opening matchup brought the Lady Bulldogs against the Pine Bluffs Lady Hornets in the semi-finals on Friday night. The Lady Hornets were 11-11 on the season coming into the game and were evenly matched with the Lady Bulldogs throughout the first quarter of play.

The second quarter proved to be the deciding factor in the ball game as Sundance went on to outscore Pine Bluffs 15-5, sending the teams into the halftime break with a 23-14 score, in favor of the Lady Bulldogs. The Lady Hornets would not be able to overcome the deficit throughout the second half and the Sundance Lady Bulldogs would advance to the championship game with a 42-31 victory over the Pine Bluffs Lady Hornets.

Cana McInereny dominated the stat sheet throughout the game for the Lady Bulldogs, leading the team with 15 points, securing seven rebounds and adding six assists for the game. Fellow teammate Bailey Hofland was also in double digits for scoring as she added 12 points throughout the victory. 

The championship game brought the Lady Bulldogs up against a very familiar foe, the Moorcroft Lady Wolves. The teams had faced each other two times prior to this matchup with the Lady Wolves taking a narrow victory each time.

Unfortunately for the Lady Bulldogs, this meeting was no different. Behind the scoring of Kyanna Petz, the Lady Wolves jumped out to a 10-point lead going into the half, 20-10. The Lady Bulldogs fought back throughout the second half of play but were unable to overcome the initial deficit and fell to the Moorcroft Lady Wolves, 28-37. 

The Lady Bulldogs finished the Regional Tournament in second place and will move on to the State Tournament in Casper as the number two seed from the east. They will face the number three seed from the West, the Riverside Rebels on Thursday at 4:30 p.m.

Boys finish season at Regionals

The Sundance boys’ basketball team ended their season at the 2A Regional Tournament this past weekend. Going into the tournament as the number four seed from the north, the Sundance Bulldogs knew it was going to be a difficult road to the state tournament.

Facing off against the Pine Bluffs Hornets, the number one seed from the south, in the first round of the tournament, the Bulldogs suffered a 58-33 defeat. The Hornets were able to keep the Bulldogs’ usual triple threat of scoring, Mills, McLaughlin and Rudloff, to a combined 11 points for the game.

This effort by the Hornets kept Sundance’s potent offense in check and allowed Pine Bluffs to control the tempo throughout the matchup. While the Bulldogs continued to put forth their best effort, it was no match for the number one team from the south.

The second round of the tournament put the Bulldogs against the Glenrock Herders. The Bulldogs were quick to get on the board behind the scoring of Keaton Mills, who put up 13 points throughout the first quarter of play, as the Bulldogs jumped out to a 18-9 lead.

While the Herders slowed the scoring of the Bulldogs, they were not able to overcome the initial lead and the Bulldogs were able to advance with a 65-54 victory over the Herders.

The final matchup of the tournament put the Bulldogs against the ever-familiar foe, the Wright Panthers. Having split their games throughout the regular season, the Bulldogs knew it would be another tight game.

Both teams were looking to advance to the state tournament, but only the winner of this game could move on. The Bulldogs took an early 12-7 lead but a scoring drought throughout the second quarter allowed the Panthers to close the gap and take a 19-13 lead into the halftime break.

The two teams were so evenly matched throughout the second half of play that they matched each other almost point for point. Unfortunately for the Bulldogs, the Panthers held the halftime lead, and Wright took the 38-34 victory and slot into the state tournament.

“The season didn’t end the way we wanted, obviously a trip to state was the ultimate goal and we fell just short. We were fortunate to have a chance down the stretch against some very talented teams both in our conference, as well as within our region. It’s always sad to see seniors graduate, but I’m excited to see what they are going to do in the future,” Coach Olson commented over the Bulldogs season.

The Sundance Bulldogs finished their season with a 13-12 overall record.

Stats

SHS Girls vs. Lusk: 41-18

Scoring: Ba. Hofland 13 (1/2 FT), Br. Hofland (2/2 FT, 0/1 3pt), Banker 6, Skeens 5 (1/2 3pt), L. Marchant 5 (1/2 FT), McInerney 4 (0/3 3pt), R. Marchant 2

Rebound Leaders: McInerney 7, Br. Hofland 5, Skeens 5

Assists: Br. Hofland 3, McInerney 2, R. Marchant 2, Ba. Hofnald 2

Steals: McInerney 4, L.Marchant 3, Gillespie 3, Br. Hofland 3

SHS Girls vs. Pine Bluffs: 42-31

Scoring: McInerney 15 (5/7 FT, 0/3 3pt), Ba. Hofland 12, Skeens 8 (2/5 3pt), Br. Hofland 4 (0/2 FT, 0/1 3pt)

Rebound Leaders: McInerney 7, Br. Hofland 7

Assists: McInerney 6

Steals: McInerney 2, Ba. Hofland 2

SHS Girls vs. Moorcroft: 28-37

Stats unavailable

SHS Boys vs. Pine Bluffs: 58-33

Scoring Jayden Davis 13 (1/1 FT, 2/? 3pt) Mills 5 (1/4 FT), E. Gill 4, Rudloff 3 (1/2 FT), McLaughlin 3 (1/1FT), D.Gill 3 (1/1FT)

SHS Boys vs. Glenrock: 65-54

Scoring: Mills 27 (5/5 FT), McLaughlin 12 (7/8 FT, 1 3pt), Davis 11 (0/1 FT, 1 3pt), E Gill 6 (2/5 FT), Rudloff 5 (1/1 FT)

SHS Boys vs. Wright: 34-38

Scoring: Mills 9 (1/3 FT), Davis 9 (3/4 FT), McLaughlin 8 (6/6 FT), Rudloff 7 (0/1 FT, 1/? 3pt) Harmon 1 (1/5 FT)