Entering the 2A East Regionals, Wyopreps top-ranked NCHS girls list of accomplishments has added up throughout the season. They won their first SEWAC title since 2002-03- also the last time the Lady Tigers had a 20 win season. Many players will find their names among the all-time statistical leaders, yet a regional championship for the first time since 2001-02 was not to be added this season.

Thursday morning at EWC, Moorcroft showed up ready to play and their scrappy nature helped NCHS to eight first period turnovers. Three pointers from Taylor Gaukel and Kianna Blackburn gave the Lady Tigers a slim 13-12 lead. In the second Lusk began to pull away but iffy free throws kept the lead single digits going into the break.

Gaukel buried another trey but the Lady Tigers could not shake off Moorcroft at 39-26 with one stanza to play. Emma Ceaglske sank a triple to push it to a 16 point lead and finally got to 20 in the final minute in the 59-39 win.

SCORE BY QUARTERS

MOOR 12 5 9 13  39

NCHS 13 13 13 20  59

TEAM STATS

MOOR: 11/41 FG, 5/13 3PT, 12/21 FT, 35 REB, 23 PF, 28 TO

NCHS: 16/41 FG, 4/13 3PT, 15/26 FT, 46 REB, 21 TO, 17 PF

NCHS PLAYER STATS: Scoring- Gaukel 12, Rowley 12, Smith 10, Hales 6, Ceaglske 5, Shaw 4, Blackburn 3, Gilkey 2, Christianson 2, Sturman 2, Lyons 1. Rebounds- Smith 12, Hales 10, Shaw 7. 

There is an old saying among basketball that it is always hard to beat a team three times in one season. It’s even harder when that team is arch rival Southeast. The Lady Cyclones came out with more energy and jumped to an 11-4 first period score. Every Lusk shot was contested, and not many went in the hoop, while SE was making their hard shots. The lead for SE was 20-14 at the half, but the Lady Cyclones went on a 7-2 run and their tough physical play got to the Lusk girls. The lead remained six with the fourth on the way. Southeast’s lead got up to 38-25 before the Lady Tiger rally came up short in the 43-35 defeat.

SCORE BY QUARTERS

NCHS 4 10 11 10  35

SE 11 9 11 12  43

TEAM STATS

NCHS: 12/45 FG, 0/12 3PT, 11/20 FT, 39 REB, 12 TO, 21 PF

SE: 12/36 FG, 1/5 3PT, 18/29 FT, 48 REB, 19 PF, 22 TO

NCHS PLAYER STATS: Scoring- Gaukel 12, Smith 6, Shaw 4, Rowley 4, Gilkey 2, Ceaglske 2, Christianson 2, Lyons 2, Hales 1. Rebounds- Rowley 9, Smith 6, Hales 6, Gaukel 5.

Loser out games are always stomach turning and the way Saturday morning’s game at Willi Gym began, some fans almost turned around on Highway 85. Who could blame them as Big Horn had six points in 34 seconds off of three NCHS turnovers to start the game. It soon became 19-9 as Lusk was outhustled and shooting woes continued. With their backs to the wall at 26-11, something clicked as the Lady Tigers began to reel in BH. Lusk got within seven at halftime.

NCHS cut two more off the lead in the third quarter to set up a frantic fourth. Gaukel hit a jumper and the freebie to get within 42-41 before Hales and Smith went nine of ten from the line down the stretch. The Lady Tigers furious comeback resulted in a 58-53 win and trip to state secured.

SCORE BY QUARTERS

NCHS 9 15 12 22  58

BH 19 12 9 13  53

TEAM STATS

NCHS: 17/49 FG, 0/8 3PT, 24/33 FT, 40 REB, 15 TO, 18 PF

BH: 20/46 FG, 6/15 3PT, 7/14 FT, 34 REB, 26 PF, 20 TO

NCHS PLAYER STATS: Scoring- Gaukel 14, Gilkey 11, Smith 10, Hales 7, Lyons 7, Rowley 6, Christianson 3.Rebounds- Hales 12, Rowley 7, Smith 6, Gaukel 5.

Five hours later back at EWC, another SEWAC rival was waiting. NCHS and PB split during the season and the fast pace led to an 11-9 PB lead after one. Once again NCHS dug a hole as the Lady Hornets increased it to 28-18 into the locker room. The Lady Tigers cut five points off that in the third period, but again had trouble with All Stater Kammie Ragsdale. The junior was below her season average but made key shots helping the lead to 41-33 with 4:24 to play. Hales caught fire with a pair of three pointers and another bucket before Smith tied the game at 43 with two free throws. The rally came up short this time as Pine Bluffs won 46-44 to capture third place.

SCORE BY QUARTERS

NCHS 9 9 11 15  44

PB 11 17 6 12  46

TEAM STATS

NCHS: 8/46 FG, 6/10 3PT, 10/18 FT, 41 REB, 15 TO, 14 PF

PB: 17/47 FG, 1/ 4 3PT, 11/15 FT, 41 REB, 14 PF, 18 TO

NCHS PLAYER STATS: Scoring- Gaukel 11, Hales 9, Smith 9, Gilkey 6, Ceaglske 6, Rowley 3. Rebounds- Smith 10, Gaukel 6, Lyons 6, Rowley 6, Hales 5. Assists- Gilkey 5.

Up first for NCHS (21-4) is the 2A West Regional champ Lady Chiefs (19-7) on Thursday at Casper College (6 p.m.). Wyoming Indian beat Shoshoni, RM and Lovell on their way to last weeks’ title and will face NCHS for the first time since 2007. All ticket prices and tournament brackets can be found at whsaa.org.