LUSK – Since they last met in the Consolation game at state last year, NCHS and Pine Bluffs have been on different trajectories so far. The Lady Hornets won that game with most of the same cast that visited Tiger Gym Friday evening, and are off to a fast start so far. The Lady Tigers are adjusting to new roles, yet post a solid 9-5 record.

The Lady Hornets size is well documented, yet it was their backcourt that disrupted Lusk’s game plan. Eight first quarter turnovers helped the visitors to a 12-2 lead, before NCHS woke up. Taylor Gaukel hit a pair of treys, and Courtney Rowley converted an old-fashioned three point play to help the Lady Tigers get within 25-16 going into halftime.

Shooting struggles from all over the floor, and turnovers came back for NCHS as the visitors raced to a 41-18 lead. As the final period wound down in the 54-29 loss, the Lady Tigers were humbled by the Wyopreps #2 2A team.

SCORE BY QUARTERS

PBHS 12 13 16 13  54

NCHS 2 14 2 11  29

TEAM STATS

PBHS 22/59 FG; 1/10 3PT; 9/12 FT; 45 REB; 15 PF; 15 TO

NCHS 10/46 FG; 3/13 3PT; 6/13 FT; 35 REB; 15 PF; 25 TO

NCHS PLAYER STATS: 

Scoring- Gaukel 13, Rowley 6, Graham 4, Christianson 2, Sturman 2, Lyons 2. Rebounds- Graham 9, Gaukel 6.

Lady Tigers face new Sundance

LUSK – The Lady Tigers and Sundance were supposed to meet last year in a post-season game but it never materialized as the Lady Bulldogs won a state title. Graduation, transfers and a coaching change have changed Sundance in many ways. The teams traded baskets early, as Ashley Christianson’s shot at the buzzer gave NCHS the 12-10 first quarter lead. The Lady Tigers stretched the lead to eight points as nine different players had already scored for NCHS.

Another third quarter lull by the Lady Tigers allowed Sundance to creep back within 29-25 going into the fourth quarter. While the visitors never took the lead, Riley Shaw kept Lusk one point ahead with some key free throw shooting. However the Lady Bulldogs had one last chance with eight seconds, and a lapse in defense saw Sundance tie the game with a short jumper as time expired. In the extra frame, Gaukel and Rowley made enough free tosses count for the 46-41 win.

SCORE BY QUARTERS

SUNDANCE 10 6 9 14 2  41

NCHS 12 12 5 10 7  46

TEAM STATS

SUNDANCE 12/43 FG; 0/7 3PT; 17/31 FT; 44 REB; 30 PF; 26 TO

NCHS 11/53 FG; 0/12 3PT; 24/44 FT; 48 REB; 23 PF; 19 TO

NCHS PLAYER STATS: 

Scoring- Gaukel 15, Shaw 8, Rowley 7, Blackburn 4, Christianson 4, Sturman 3, Richardson 2, Lyons 2, Graham 1. Rebounds- Gaukel 10, Graham 10, Richardson 7, Rowley 6, Lyons 5. Steals- Gaukel 7, Rowley 5.

The JV had trouble with Pine Bluffs in a 37-22 defeat as Joz Potter scored nine points. On Saturday they got past Sundance 40-33 as Abby Kottwitz led with 13 points, Peyton Kottwitz added nine and Danni Larson netted six.

NCHS hosts the Lady Doggers Friday (4 and 5:30 p.m.) before heading north to Moorcroft on Saturday. Lusk had to work to beat a young Lady Wolves squad at regionals last year, and they are off to a 12-5 record so far this year. The JV starts at 1:30 before varsity at 3 p.m.