Tuesday, January 17, 2023

Kynah Steele Gets Triple Double as Tigers Down Warriors 42-26

Kynah Steele had a big night for Worth County, getting 15 points, 15 tips, and 12 boards as the Tigers beat Albany 42-26 Tuesday night to get back on the winning track in Albany. Ali Brown also had a big night for the Tigers, getting 15 points and 11 boards and shutting down Albany post player Jordyn Sterkis, holding her to three points.

Previously, Worth County had been ousted from the Stanberry Tournament, digging themselves into a 20 point hole and losing 45-28 to King City and then falling to a revenge-minded Stanberry squad 31-22 in the consolation bracket. But they got back on track by putting points on the board, while still locking down on defense. They cut down on their turnovers, only surrendering it 12 times after surrendering it 20 times against Stanberry. And they kept Albany off the boards, only surrendering 8 offensive rebounds after surrendering 13 against Stanberry.

Worth County got off to a fast start on the line, getting Sterkis in foul trouble and on the bench early, building up a 5-0 lead by the 6:54 mark. Jasmin Valderrama put Albany on the board, but free throws from Kynah Steele and Taylor Sanders put the Tigers up 8-2. But Albany started hanging around despite Sterkis on the bench with foul trouble and Addisyn Crawford's backdoor layup cut the Warrior deficit to 10-6 after one. And when Sterkis came back in, the Warriors were able to tie it at 10 and then 12. 

But the Warriors were down to seven players for Tuesday's game, and it showed after they fought back to tie; they had eight for the North Nodaway game in the Stanberry Tournament. And they were still without their best player, Abby Troncin (ankle). The wear and tear took full effect during the next stretch, as Worth County answered with an 18-0 run that spanned the rest of the half and most of the third to put the game away.

Worth County, who couldn't buy a bucket against either Stanberry or King City, finally started getting shots to fall as Paige Sherer knocked one down from the right baseline late in the half, followed by a shot from the left wing from Brylee Rush. Ali Brown then finished twice in the paint, something her coach, Tiffany Bliley, had been pushing her and Kynah Steele to do all year, and Worth County was back up 20-12 at the half.

Albany was saved by the bell against North Nodaway and made things interesting for a while in the second half, but it was Worth County who came out strong in the third quarter as Kynah Steele hit Ali Brown inside and Kynah scored off a drive after a pass from Brylee Rush. Steele hit free throws and then followed that with a blocked shot and then grabbed the defensive board and went coast to coast. Ali Brown hit two more free throws to finish the run and put Worth County up 20-12 late in the third quarter.

With Worth County shutting down Sterkis in the paint, a freshman, Hayleigh Wink, stepped up for Albany and got the hot hand early in the fourth, cutting the Warrior deficit to 31-19 at the 7:21 mark. But Kynah Steele grabbed an offensive board, played through contact, and was rewarded with two free throws, which she made to break the run. Rylee Ruckman came off the bench to knock down a 3-pointer and get a steal to make it 38-19.

Keylee Siddens hit a 3-pointer and Brooklyn Wink showed her ability to drive and slash to the rim late, cutting the Warrior deficit down to 40-26, but then Albany was out of time and Kynah Steele scored from inside for the dagger with 50 seconds left.

For Worth County, Ali Brown and Kynah Steele had 15 points. Rylee Ruckman had 5, Paige Sherer, Brylee Rush, and Lanie Cousatte all had 2, and Taylor Sanders 1.

Paige Sherer, Liz Brown, and Kynah Steele each had 1 block.

Kynah Steele had 12 boards. Ali Brown had 11, Brylee Rush 3, Taylor Sanders and Rylee Ruckman 2 each, and Liz Brown, Paige Sherer, and Rayleigh Smith 1 each.

Kynah Steele had 6 assists. Liz Brown and Ali Brown had 2, and Taylor Sanders, Paige Sherer, Brylee Rush, and Rayleigh Smith had 1 each.

Kynah Steele had 15 tips. Liz Brown had 6, Ali Brown, Taylor Sanders, and Brylee Rush all had 2, and Paige Sherer, Hailey Adwell, and Rylee Ruckman all had 1.

Ali Brown and Kynah Steele had 4 steals. Taylor Sanders, Brylee Rush, and Rylee Ruckman had 2. Paige Sherer and Hailey Adwell had 1 each.


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