YODER – The Southeast High School Lady Cyclones battled back from a 22-16 deficit during the February 1 home game against Burns to tie the game, 22-22, early in the fourth quarter.

Burns responded with a 5-point run to take the lead, 27-22. A close-range shot by sophomore Hadley Leithead made it a one-possession game before Burns scored six points to post the win, 33-24.

Southeast’s misfortunes continued on Saturday with a tough loss in a close game to conference rival Rock River, 40-35.

The Lady Cyclones managed to close the deficit to a single possession following a pair of outside shots by senior Baylie Booth midway in the fourth quarter before Rock River edged up by five points to win.

Burns

Southeast dominated the first quarter, topping Burns in scoring, 12-7. Booth and senior Kylee Llewellyn both netted outside shots while Hadley Leithead, junior Brooklyn Leithead and sophomore Keana Llewellyn each tossed in close-range shots.

The Lady Cyclones remained ahead early in the second half. Kylee Llewellyn snatched a steal and Brooklyn Leithead scored a jumper. Defensive pressure by Booth and Brooklyn Leithead resulted in a turnover. Keana Llewellyn rustled a steal, setting up senior Sasha Haines  to net an inside shot.

Burns took possession at that point, moving into the lead with a 10-point run to pull ahead, 22-16, at halftime.

A tenacious Lady Cyclones’ defense prevented Burns from scoring in the third quarter. Brooklyn Leithead, Hadley Leithead and sophomore Kaycee Kosmicki posted five points for the Southeast offense, narrowing Burns’ lead to a single point, 22-21, as the fourth quarter commenced. 

Burns rallied in the fourth quarter to net 11 points while holding Southeast to three.

Hadley Leithead and Brooklyn Leithead both contributed six points to Southeast’s final tally against Burns.

Rock River

Rock River outmaneuvered Southeast, 14-6, in the first quarter to survive a physical second quarter that saw the Lady Cyclones nearly match Rock River in scoring.

Rock River led at halftime, 25-15.

The Lady Cyclones netted eight points in the third quarter to nine from Rock River. Haines sank an outside shot in the opening moments of the second half and Brooklyn Leithead and Hadley Leithead both tossed in close-range shots.

Rebounding in the fourth quarter, Southeast fought back with a 10-point run, consisting of a pair of outside shots from Booth and a jumper apiece by Booth and Hadley Leithead, bringing Southeast to within one possession of overtaking Rock River with 2:44 remaining on the clock.

Rock River answered with a close-range shot. Booth found an opening inside Rock River’s perimeter to score, making it a one-possession game with 42 seconds left in regulation.

Unfortunately, Rock River netted two more points to prevail.

Booth led Southeast in scoring against Rock River with 15 points while Hadley Leithead and Kosmicki each tallied six points and Haines five.