I though the kids played extremely hard against Pine Bluffs and I was impressed with their hustle. It was huge improvement from where we were. Friday night was a true testament to the team’s capabilities.”

Coach Jennifer Scheer

Up Next

The Lady Cyclones compete at regionals in Upton from February 27-March 1.

YODER – The Southeast High School Lady Cyclones demonstrated big improvement against 2A Pine Bluffs during a February 14 home game over the first time the two teams played this season.

In January, Southeast fell to Pine Bluffs by more than 40 points, 59-14.

On Friday, the Lady Cyclones played with true underdog intensity and gave  No. 2-ranked Pine Bluffs a run for its money as a scrappy Southeast defense hounded its rival throughout the game.

On Saturday, the Lady Cyclones traveled to Lusk for a conference showdown against the Niobrara County Lady Tigers. Southeast battled back from an 11-point deficit in the third quarter to come within one possession of overtaking Niobrara County in the fourth quarter.

Niobrara County scored three crucial free throws in the final moments of regulation to post the win, 32-29.

“I though the kids played extremely hard against Pine Bluffs and I was impressed with their hustle,” coach Jennifer Scheer said. “It was huge improvement from where we were. Friday night was a true testament to the team’s capabilities.”

Pine Bluffs

The Lady Cyclones opened regulation with a 6-4 run, including buckets by junior Keana Llewellyn, senior Brooklyn Leithead and sophomore Brylie Booth.

The Southeast defense forced early turnovers with pressure by sophomore Rein Coulson, a steal by Booth and a block from Llewellyn.

Pine Bluffs responded with six points to lead, 12-6.

Both teams netted nine points in the second quarter with Llewellyn, Leithead and juniors Taylor Tregemba and Kaycee Kosmicki each tossing in a bucket while senior Anna Hartman scored from the charity stripe.

On defense, Llewellyn made another block and pressure by Leithead and Tregemba resulted in a turnover on Pine Bluffs’ final possession in the first half.

The teams headed for the locker room with the Hornets up, 21-15.

The Lady Cyclones returned to the court in the third quarter and outmaneuvered the Lady Hornets, 12-11. Kosmicki paced the Lady Cyclones offense with six points, including a 3-pointer, in the third.

Sophomore Lyla Wernsman grabbed a steal and scored on a fastbreak, reducing Pine Bluffs’ lead to two possessions, 30-26, late in the third quarter.

A physical fourth quarter saw the Lady Cyclones tally 10 points to 12 by Pine Bluffs. Tregemba netted a trey while Wernsman and Hartman both tossed in jumpers. Kosmicki scored on a fastbreak.

Seven Lady Cyclones contributed to scoring against Pine Bluffs, led by Kosmicki with 10 points. Booth collected six points, Leithead and Tregemba five apiece, Llewellyn and Wernsman each four and Hartman three.

On the boards, Booth and Llewellyn both pulled down four rebounds.

Niobrara County

A physical first quarter between Southeast and Niobrara County ended with the Lady Tigers up, 8-5. 

Niobrara County widened its lead in the second quarter, topping Southeast in scoring, 10-6.

Despite a trey by Wernsman, the Lady Tigers led at halftime, 18-11.

Southeast netted seven points in the third quarter while holding Niobrara County to six. Wernsman tossed in a pair of close-range shots while Booth collected a jumper and a free throw.

A 7-3 run by Southeast in the fourth quarter, including four points from Kosmicki, reduced Niobrara County’s lead to a single possession, 27-25, with two minutes remaining in regulation.

A free throw from Kosmicki whittled the Lady Tiger’s advantage to a single point, 27-26, at 55 seconds.

Niobrara County pulled back up, 30-26, with three free throws.

Taking possession, Leithead scored from inside the perimeter, reducing the Lady Tigers’ lead back to a one possession, 30-28, at 23 seconds.

Niobrara responded with a trio of free throws to seal the win.

Wernsman led the Lady Cyclones in scoring against Niobrara County with nine points. Booth tallied eight, Kosmicki five, Leithead three and Hartman and Llewellyn two each.

On the boards, Booth pulled down six rebounds and Leithead five.