Thursday, November 4, 2021

Rylee Ruckman's Career Night Leads Tigers Past Bluejays

Rylee Ruckman had a career night for Worth County with 16 points and the Tigers were able to hold off Northeast Nodaway 27-21 Thursday as they evened their record at 2-2. The Tigers have seen every game decided by one or two possessions. They lost 29-28 to Stanberry, beat North Harrison 20-16, lost 21-19 to King City, but turned around and beat Northeast Nodaway by six.

Northeast was without Skyler Florea again (ankle), but they were still solid without her. But like the other game they played without Skyler, it took them a while to adjust. Meanwhile, the first quarter was all Rylee Ruckman. She knocked down a triple from the right wing after a pass from Kambree Briner, grabbed a putback, and added two free throws as the Tigers led 7-0 after one. Northeast pressured the ball and got some steals, but Brianna Meyer picked up two quick fouls trying to stop Ruckman. 

But Mylee Wilmes stepped into the gap for Northeast, keeping up the pressure and getting 9 steals to keep her team in the game. Grace Kohlleppel finally broke the ice and converted a layup with 5:13 left. Kristin Tracy countered with a putback for Worth County and things looked grim for Northeast when Meyer went down with a hard fall that left her shook up. But Blair Nelson knocked down a tough shot in the high post to cut it to 9-4 at halftime.

Meyer came back to start the third, but Brylea Paxson hit Ruckman backdoor, Kambree Briner scored from inside after an offensive glass from Paxson, and Ruckman added a free throw as Worth County threatened to gain separation, leading 14-4.

But all of a sudden, Northeast started finding the range and things got interesting again. Gracie Kohlleppel hit Blair Nelson, who drove the right wing and scored, Kohlleppel inbounded it to Wilmes, and Wilmes found Hayley Yost inside to cut it to 14-10 after Meyer stole an inbounds pass.

Kambree Briner hit Kristen Tracy on the right wing to temporarily restore order for Worth County, but Hayley Yost hit Kohlleppel inside and she converted a three point play to make it 16-13 with 3:31 left in the game. But just when it looked like Northeast would catch up, Rylee Ruckman took over the game, getting a steal to stop the bleeding and put Worth County back up 18-13. 

Northeast fought back as Meyer hit Yost inside to make it 18-15, but Keira Hardy drove against the press and found Rayleigh Smith for two. Blair Nelson hit a tough shot from the right side after getting a pass to make it 20-17, and Kristen Tracy missed a 1-1 with 1:46 left, but then stole the ball back after Northeast had gotten the ensuing rebound. They took full advantage as Hardy hit Tracy on the wing to make it 22-17. Ruckman then scored off a Tracy steal with 47 seconds left to make it 24-17.

Worth County tried to press to make Northeast speed up and throw it away, but Mylee Wilmes found Hayley Yost with 39 seconds left to make it 24-19. Gracie Kohlleppel forced a turnover, but Worth County pressed and Northeast stepped over the line and Ruckman made two free throws after Northeast fouled to make it 26-19 with 29 seconds left.

Again, Yost came through for Northeast as Blair Nelson found her down low to make it 26-21 with 13 seconds left. Yost had a career scoring night with 8 points for the Bluejays. Gracie Kohlleppel did all she could in the last few seconds to try to get the ball back; she nearly stole the ensuing inbounds pass, but couldn't secure it and the ball went back to Worth County. Then, she got a tieup on the next inbounds pass, but the possession arrow was pointing to Worth County. Finally, the Tigers were able to dribble several seconds off before the Bluejays could foul Summer Riley, and she made a free throw with 1.6 seconds left to secure the win.

For Worth County, Rylee Ruckman had 16 points. Kristen Tracy had 6, Rayleigh Smith and Kambree Briner had 2, and Summer Riley had 1. 

Kristen Tracy had 2 blocks. Brylea Paxon, Rylee Ruckman, and Kambree Briner had 1 each.

Kristen Tracy had 12 boards. Rylee Ruckman had 5, Rayleigh Smith 4, Keira Hardy and Brylea Paxson 2, and Kambree Briner 1.

Keira Hardy had 3 assists. Kambree Briner had 2, and Kristen Tracy, Rayleigh Smith, and Brylea Paxson had 1 each.

Kristen Tracy and Brylea Paxson had 4 tips. Keira Hardy and Rylee Ruckman had 3, and Kambree Briner had 2.

Kristen Tracy had 7 steals. Keira Hardy and Rylee Ruckman had 5, Kambree Briner 3, and Brylea Paxson 1.

For Northeast Nodaway, Hayley Yost had 8. Blair Nelson had 6, Gracie Kohlleppel 5, and Mylee Wilmes 2.

Hayley Yost had 3 blocks. Mylee Wilmes and Blair Nelson had 1.

Hayley Yost had 8 boards. Gracie Kohlleppel had 6, Brianna Meyer and Blair Nelson 5 each, and Mylee Wilmes 4.

Gracie Kohlleppel and Mylee Wilmes had 3 assists. Blair Nelson had 2, and Hayley Yost 1.

Brianna Meyer, Mylee Wilmes, and Gracie Kohlleppel had 7 tips each. Blair Nelson had 6, Hayley Yost 3, and Severia Hall 1.

Mylee Wilmes had 9 steals. Brianna Meyer had 6, Gracie Kohlleppel 4, Blair Nelson 3, and Hayley Yost 2.

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