By Travis Mounts
TSnews
news@tsnews.com
A 9-0 run early in the third quarter helped the Cheney Cardinals break away from the Halstead Dragons girls basketball team in Saturday’s Wildcat Classic championship in Haven.
The Cardinals and Dragons came into the tournament undefeated and ranked first and second, respectively, in Class 3A although Halstead was the top seed over Cheney. The teams fought for control throughout the first half, and both struggled to make shots early.
“Probably both teams were a little nervous. We were feeling each other out,” said Cheney head coach Rod Scheer.
Brynn McCormick made a 3-point basket at the buzzer to give the Cardinals a 12-9 lead after one quarter.
Cheney went up by as many as 5 points in the second quarter, but Halstead stayed with them, even taking a 21-20 lead late in the half. Brooklyn Wewe scored on a drive to the basket with under seconds left in the half to give the Cardinals a 22-21 edge at the break.
Cheney went on a 9-0 run early in the third quarter. Kylee Scheer, who was held to 3 points in the first half, opened the run with a 3-point shot. She scored most of the points on that run, aided by a Lacy Luehrs basket, to take a 31-23 lead.
Halstead knotted the game early in the fourth with 7 straight points, tying the game at 43. McCormick, who made several key baskets in the first half, hit a 3-pointer for a 46-43 lead, and Cheney outscored Halstead 14-4 over the final seven minutes. The Dragons never got closer than 4 points.
McCormick tied for a game-high 20 points and sank three 3-point shots. Scheer scored 16 of her 19 points in the second half and was named to the all-tournament team. Wewe finished with 8.
“Brynn had a great game, hitting big shots. Campbell Hague played a great defensive game. With her length, I think she made a difference,” said coach Scheer.
Cheney has seven games left before the postseason begins. Scheer wants to see the Cardinals maintain the level of play they showed against Halstead.
“We told the kids today, we’ve got to stay at that level,” he said. Scheer wants to see the Cardinals take care of the ball, play great defense and run the floor well.
Cheney hosted Medicine Lodge earlier this week. They go to Douglass this Friday, and then will be at home next Tuesday to take on Trinity Academy.
Cheney: McCormick 20, Scheer 19, Wewe 18, Luehrs 4, Anna Martin 2, Campbell Hague 2, Olivia Albers 2.
Cheney could never quite shake the Andale Indians during last week’s semifinal game, a 45-42 victory for the Cardinals.
The Cardinals leaned heavily on Kylee Scheer for offense, as she scored a game-high 27 points. Only four other Cardinals scored in this game, and the team struggled at the free-throw line, making just 6 of 14 tries. Lacy Luehrs added 6.
Cheney: Scheer 27, Luehrs 6, Wewe 4, Albers 4, McCormick 4.
The Cardinals took care of business early in a 70-34 win over the host Haven Wildcats in the opening round of the Wildcat Classic on Jan. 26. A 25-5 run through the second quarter gave the Cheney Cardinals a 43-17 halftime edge. Eight different Cardinals scored in the game, and Kylee Scheer made five of the team’s seven 3-point baskets.
Cheney: Scheer 29, Wewe 9, McCormick 6, Campbell Hague 8, Korri Lies 5, Albers 5, Luehrs 5, Martin 3.
