NEN Sets Fan, Student Expectations at Games

 Heidi Beatty, Principal at Northeast Nodaway has announced the following fan and student expectations at basketball games.

-Be respectful at the game. We promote positive sportsmanship with our students and we expect the same respect from our spectators. 

-Elementary students must be accompanied by an adult(s) at games and must remain supervised during the game. Unsupervised students will be asked to sit with their families. At no time should kids be playing in the hallways or old gym at home games.

-Clean up your area - lots of trash has been left on our “side” which includes drinks, food and programs. Please take an extra minute to clean up where you were sitting.

-Parking lot is busy all evening. With it getting dark so early, please ensure your students are in the building with you. Leave room for people to enter and exit the parking lot rows.

Failure to adhere to these expectations will result in students only being allowed to sit with parents and/or spectators asked to leave the game.

These expectations apply to both home and road games.

Three Hit Double Figures as Bluejay Girls Beat Platte Valley 52-19

Three Bluejays hit double figures as the Northeast Nodaway Junior High girls team beat Platte Valley 52-19 Thursday.

Harlyn Skoglund did all she could to keep her team in the game, scoring 13 of her team's 19 points. But the Bluejays pulled away late at the end of the first quarter to a 13-5 lead and built up a 28-12 lead by halftime. They continued to extend it to 45-16 at the end of three and crossed the running clock threshold early in the fourth.

Emma Wilmes, Ellie Jackson, and Bexlie Busby each had 13 points for the Bluejays. Aubrey Wilmes had 7, Kenzley Yost 3, Eryn O'Connell 2, and Jordann Doty 1.

Eryn O'Connell had 1 blocked shot.

Bexlie Busby got her first double-double with 10 boards. Aubrey Wilmes had 7, Ellie Jackson 6, Kenzley Yost 5, Jordann Doty 3, Emma Wilmes 2, and Eryn O'Connell 1.

Aubrey Wilmes had 6 assists. Ellie Jackson had 4, and Emma Wilmes 4.

Bexlie Busby had 5 tips. Emma Wilmes had 3, Aubrey Wilmes 2, Emma Wilmes 2, Kenzley Yost 1, and Jordann Doty 1.

Emma Wilmes had 9 steals. Aubrey Wilmes had 5, Kenzley Yost 3, Bexlie Busby 2, Ellie Jackson 1, and Jordann Doty 1.

The "B" girls also won 12-5. Jennifer Stoll had 4 points. Aurora Claphan had 3, Quin Oelze 2, Jasmine Garnett 2, and Arlee Sobotka 1. With Platte Valley trying to get the ball back, Jasmine Garnett stepped up with 47 seconds left in the second and hit both her free throws to seal the game.

The "A" boys were shorthanded; without their best player and ballhandler in Cooper Jackson (flu), they were no match for Platte Valley, falling 59-2. Noah Cordell scored the lone two points.

The "B" boys won an exciting game 6-4 when a last-second triple by Platte Valley that would have won it went astray. Beckem Kennard and Noah Cordell hit free throws in the last minute to put the Bluejays ahead and break a 4-4 tie.

Bexlie Busby Has Breakthrough Game in Bluejay Rout; Cooper Chesnut, McClellan Clements Hand Mustang Boys First Win

Bexlie Busby had a breakout game for Northeast Nodaway’s Junior High girls Tuesday, October 27th against North Nodaway, hanging 17 on the Mustangs as the Bluejays won going away 58-2. On the boys’ side, McClellan Clements and Cooper Chesnut formed a two-headed monster to propel North Nodaway to its first win over the season, 31-18 over Northeast.

The “B” girls started first, and the Bluejay girls controlled the boards and the game, racing out to a 7-0 lead. Kinley Emery had four and Jennifer Stoll added a 3-pointer. Avary Volner countered with four straight for the Mustangs, but they ran out of time.

Jennifer Stoll had 5 boards. Arlee Sobotka had 3, Quin Oelze 2, and Ella Wilmes 1. Quin Oelze and Kinley Emery had 1 assist. Jennifer Stoll and Ella Wilmes had 2 tips, while Kinley Emery had 1. Kinley Emery and Arlee Sobotka had 1 steal each.

For North Nodaway, Torrie Rader had 2 boards, and Avary Volner and Oakley Marriott had 1 each. Torrie Rader had 1 assist. Brysha Allen and Torrie Rader had 1 tip. Oakley Marriott had 1 steal.

The “B” boys took the floor next, and the Bluejays controlled the game early, with Kipton Thummel knocking one down from the high post, only for Clayton Titus to counter with a 3-pointer to hand the Mustangs the 3-2 win. 

For Northeast Nodaway, Kyle Davison and Kipton Thummel had 3 boards each. Beckem Kennard and Reece Thummel had 1 board each. Reece Thummel had 1 assist. Newton Adwell had 1 steal.

For North Nodaway, Emmerson Drummond had 3 boards, while Javery Partridge, Oliver Miller, Camden Butler, Clayton Titus, Lucus Hansen, and Brentley Marriott all getting 1. Camden Butler had 1 assist.

The “A” girls game was next. It started out as a tough defensive struggle for the first few minutes. But Bexlie Busby suddenly took over the game with six points in rapid succession, and the rout was on. The Bluejays were up 16-0 at the end of one. Busby had eight more in the second as Northeast led 31-0 at the half. The Bluejays feasted off 30 Mustang turnovers and a 38-20 edge on the boards. The only tense point was whether the Mustangs could break the shutout. They finally did with 1:34 to spare, when Arianna Owens, who did all she could to stop the bleeding, knocked down a prayer from just inside the 3-point line at the top of the key.

Northeast Nodaway got eleven girls in the scoring column. Bexlie Busby had 17, Ellie Jackson 11, Emma Wilmes 7, Jordann Doty, Kenzley Yost, and Quin Oelze with 4, Ella Wilmes 3, and Aubrey Wilmes, Eryn O’Connell, Arlee Sobotka, and Aurora Claphan with 2 each.

Jordann Doty, Bexlie Busby, Kenzley Yost, Arlee Sobotka, and Emma Wilmes each had 1 block.

Ellie Jackson and Kenzley Yost had 7 boards each. Bexlie Busby and Emma Wilmes had 6. Aubrey Wilmes had 4, Jordann Doty 3, Quin Oelze 2, and Eryn O’Connell, Ella Wilmes, and Arlee Sobotka had 1.

Ellie Jackson had 4 assists. Aubrey Wilmes and Quin Oelze had 3, and Eryn O’Connell, Emma Wilmes, Ella Wilmes, Kenzley Yost, and Kinley Emery had 1.

Aubrey Wilmes and Ellie Jackson had 5 tips. Emma Wilmes had 3, and Eryn O’Connell, Kenzley Yost, and Bexlie Busby had 1.

Emma Wilmes had 9 steals. Ellie Jackson had 5, Bexlie Busby had 4, Aubrey Wilmes and Kenzley Yost had 2, and Eryn O’Connell and Arlee Sobotka had 1.

Arianna Owens had two points for North Nodaway. Avary Volner had 2 blocks.

Arianna Owens had 6 rebounds. Marin Alexander and Torrie Rader had 4, Jayneigh Lawson had 4, Avary Volner 2, and Zaylynn Luke 1.

Marin Alexander had 1 assist. Avary Volner had 3 tips, while Arianna Owens had 2 and Jayneigh Lawson 1. Arianna Owens had 5 steals and Zaylynn Luke had 1. 

For the “A” boys, Cooper Jackson hit a 3-pointer to put the Bluejays up 3-2, but then Braxton Dougherty aired it out twice to McClellan Clements, and the Mustangs were off to the races. Clements aired one out to Cooper Chesnut, and Cooper added a steal and drive to put the Mustangs up 10-3. The Mustangs led by as much as 17-9 before Noah Cordell cashed in a steal to make it 17-11 at the half. Hayzer Florea knocked one down to start the second half, but then McClellan Clements took over, scoring eight straight to put the Mustangs back in control. They led by as much as 31-13 before a Cooper Jackson triple and a putback from Hayzer Florea sparked a Bluejay rally. But North Nodaway ran out the clock to secure the win.

For Northeast Nodaway, Cooper Jackson had 9 points. Noah Cordell had 5, and Hayzer Florea 4.

Brody Jackson had 2 blocks, and Jax Archer had 1.

Hayzer Florea had 7 boards. Brody Jackson had 6, Noah Cordell 3, Cooper Jackson and Jax Archer 2, and Kyle Davison 1.

Noah Cordell had 2 assists, and Cooper Jackson and Kyle Davison had 1. Cooper Jackson had 3 tips, and Hayzer Florea had 1. Noah Cordell had 3 steals, while Cooper Jackson, Kyle Davison, and Hayzer Florea had 1. 

For North Nodaway, Cooper Jackson had 13. McClellan Clements had 12, Brentley Marriott 4, and Lucus Hansen 2.

Brentley Marriott had 2 blocks, and McClellan Clements had 1.

McClellan Clements had 12 boards. Braxton Dougherty had 11, Brentley Marriott 9, Lucus Hansen 3, Camden Butler 1, and Cooper Chesnut 1. 

McClellan Clements had 5 assists. Braxton Dougherty had 3, Cooper Chesnut 2, and Brentley Marriott and Camden Butler 1.

Lucus Hansen had 3 tips. Cooper Chesnut had 2, and McClellan Clemens and Camden Butler had 1.

Cooper Chesnut had 5 steals. Lucus Hansen and Braxton Dougherty had 3, McClellan Clements 2, and Brentley Marriott 1. 

Ellie Jackson Has Double Double, Kenzley Yost Has Key Defensive Play as Bluejay Girls Survive First Test

Northeast Nodaway’s junior high basketball girls went to 3-0 after getting their first real test of the year. Previously, against Union Star, the Bluejays had won handily 59-6. Emma Wilmes had 23 points and Ellie Jackson added 17. Kenzley Yost had 7, Jordann Doty 4, and Aubrey Wilmes, Kacy O’Connell, Bexlie Busby, and Eryn O’Connell had 2 each. Northeast led 43-3 at the half in a game that was not close.

But Thursday’s game represented their first real test of the year as Nodaway Valley talked Mitch Barnes, who had built the Thunder into a powerhouse on the varsity girls side a few years ago, into coming out of retirement to take the junior high. They turned into a pressing team against everyone and added physical play on defense that took the Bluejays out of their rhythm for much of the game.

With the Thunder swarming and pressing at will in the first quarter, Addilynn Cowden got to the line four times early to give them a 4-2 lead. Eryn O’Connell got into early foul trouble trying to contain Hadley Jenkins in the post, but Jordann Doty came in and managed to stay on the floor. Aubrey Wilmes and Ellie Jackson chipped away at the line to keep the Bluejays close before Ellie Jackson hit a 3-pointer at the first quarter buzzer to put the Bluejays up 8-7.

But as the foul trouble started to mount for the Thunder, the game started swinging in Northeast’s favor. Ellie Jackson got a putback, Kenzley Yost got a free throw, Ellie Jackson got a baseline shot, Emma Wilmes scored from inside, and Ellie Jackson slashed and scored. By the end of the half, Jenkins was up to three fouls, and Elliett Jones was up to four. Kenzley Yost has developed a knack for drawing fouls this year, and her free throw put Northeast up 18-8 before Josie Stiens’ triple cut it to 18-11 at the half.

Aubrey Wilmes went backdoor and Ellie Jackson got a putback to make it 22-11 with 3:53 left in the third. The Thunder kept hanging around, with Stiens cutting it to 24-15 late. But the foul trouble continued to mount for the Thunder, and finally, at the third quarter buzzer, Kenzley Yost had a perfect boxout on Elliett Jones, Nodaway Valley’s most physical player, drawing her fifth foul.

With Jones on the bench, Nodaway Valley was much less effective and Northeast started to pull away. Eryn O’Connell hit a free throw, Eryn hit Emma Wilmes on the wing for two, Kenzley Yost went coast to coast for two, Aubrey Wilmes connected with Emma inside for two, Kenzley Yost hit Aubrey Wilmes backdoor, Ellie Jackson got a steal and drive, Jordann Doty hit Aubrey Wilmes inside, and Emma Wilmes went coast to coast for two as Northeast pulled away for the 40-17 win.

Aubrey Wilmes had 12 points. Emma Wilmes and Ellie Jackson had 11, Kenzley Yost 5, and Eryn O’Connell 1.

The Bluejays had 53 rebounds on the night. Ellie Jackson completed a double-double with 10 boards. Jordann Doty and Kenzley Yost had career highs with 9 boards. Emma Wilmes had 8, Aubrey Wilmes had 7, Eryn O’Connell 6, and Bexlie Busby 4. 

Bexlie Busby and Eryn O’Connell had 3 assists. Kenzley Yost and Aubrey Wilmes had 2, and Jordann Doty had 1.

Bexlie Busby had 5 tips. Ellie Jackson had 4, Aubrey Wilmes and Emma Wilmes had 3, and Eryn O’Connell and Kenzley Yost had 1.

Aubrey Wilmes had 5 steals. Ellie Jackson had 3, and Kenzley Yost, Jordann Doty, and Bexlie Busby had 2.

The “B” girls lost 4-2. Jennifer Stoll had 2 points. Kinley Emery and Aurora Claphan had 1 block. Arlee Sobotka had 4 boards, Jasmine Garnett 2, and Jennifer Stoll, Ella Wilmes, and Quin Oelze had 1. Arlee Sobotka had 1 assist. Aurora Claphan had 1 tip. Ella Wilmes had 2 stelas, while Arlee Sobotka and Jennifer Stoll had 1.

The boys are still searching for their first win as they fell to the Thunder 41-17. They gave up 25 offensive boards and turned the ball over 16 times; the 41 extra possessions were more than enough for the Thunder to control the game. 

Cooper Jackson had 10 points for the Bluejays. Brody Jackson had 4, and Noah Cordell had 3.

Brody Jackson had 7 boards. Kyle Davison showed some promise on the boards, moving up the ladder with 5. Cooper Jackson and Hayzer Florea had 3, and Noah Cordell and Jax Archer had 1.

Brody Jackson had 2 blocks. Kyle Davison, Kipton Thummel, and Cooper Jackson each had 1 assist. Hayzer Florea had 2 tips, while Brody Jackson and Cooper Jackson had 1. Cooper Jackson had 2 steals, while Hayzer Florea and Kyle Davison had 1.

The “B” team was more fortunate as they won 4-0. Kyle Davison had 2 points, while Kipton Thummel and Reece Thummel each had 1. Kyle Davison had 3 boards, while Kipton Thummel and Newton Adwell had 2 and Reece Thummel had 1. Newton Adwell had 1 assists. Kipton Thummel and Reece Thummel had 2 tips. Kyle Davison, Newton Adwell, and Beckem Kennard had 1. Kipton Thummel had 2 steals, while Newton Adwell had 1.

Ellie Jackson Scores 16 as Junior High Bluejays Post Banner Victory

Northeast Nodaway’s junior high girls won handily over King City 46-6 Monday behind 16 points from Ellie Jackson. Loaded with talent from last year’s big run, the Bluejays are looking to push for an undefeated season this year, although teams like Worth County, Stanberry, and Platte Valley will stand in their way.

Bexlie Busby started the scoring with a baseline shot after Emma Wilmes secured an offensive board, and Bexlie added a drive. Emma Wilmes got on the board after an Ellie Jackson steal and later cashed in off a steal from Eryn O’Connell. Aubrey Wilmes cashed in off a Bexlie Busby steal, and then Ellie Jackson got to the rim to get on the board. She cashed in after Aubrey Wilmes got a tip and she got a steal to make it 14-0 after one.

The Bluejays started subbing by the second quarter, but they continued to pull away as Emma Wilmes and Ellie Jackson scored off steals. Kinley Emery scored off a pullup, Emma Wilmes scored off a putback, and Emma Wilmes hit Bexlie Busby inside to make it 24-0 at the half.

The avalanche continued in the third quarter as Bexlie Busby cashed in off a steal, Emma Wilmes hit a free throw, Ellie Jackson scored off a drive after getting a pass from O’Connell, then added a free throw and a 3-pointer to make it 33-0. 

Chandler Sobotka finally got King City on the board late in the third, followed by four from Charley Parsons. Northeast countered with a fast break from Bexlie Busby, a triple from Kenzley Yost, and a fast break from Bexlie Busby after Ellie Jackson found her open as the Bluejays led 40-6 after three.

Jordann Doty got on the board in the post after Kenzley Yost got her the ball, and Ellie Jackson got a steal and a drive and then went coast to coast in the fourth quarter.

Ellie Jackson had 16 points. Bexlie Busby had 12, Emma Wilmes 9, Kenzley Yost 3, and Jordann Doty, Kinley Emery, and Aubrey Wilmes 2 each. 

Jordann Doty had 6 rebounds. Emma Wilmes, Bexlie Busby, and Ellie Jackson had 5, Aubrey Wilmes and Kenzley Yost 4, and Eryn O’Connell 1.

Emma Wilmes and Ellie Jackson had 3 assists. Eryn O’Connell and Bexlie Busby had 2. Kenzley Yost and Aubrey Wilmes had 1.

Emma Wilmes had 9 tips. Aubrey Wilmes had 6, Kenley Yost, Ellie Jackson, and Kinley Emery 2, and Bexlie Busby and Ella Wilmes 1.

Emma Wilmes had 6 steals. Aubrey Wilmes and Ellie Jackson had 5, Eryn O’Connell, Kenzley Yost, and Bexlie Busby 3, and Jordann Doty and Kinley Emery 1.

The girls didn’t allow a single offensive board all night and only turned it over four times.

The “B” girls won 8-4. Jennifer Stoll had 4, Aurora Claphan 3, and Arlee Sobotka 1.

Aurora Claphan and Jennifer Stoll had 3 boards. Jasmine Garnett had 1. Arlee Sobotka had 2 assists and Jennifer Stoll 1. Jennifer Stoll had 3 tips, while Aurora Claphan had 2, and Arlee Sobotka 1. Aurora Claphan had 2 steals, while Arlee Sobotka, Kacy O’Connell, and Jasmine Garnett had 1.

The “A” boys were not as fortunate as they dug themselves into a 16-0 hole against King City and never got closer than 13, giving up 18 offensive boards and turning it over 14 times. King City pulled away in the second half to a 55-26 win.

Cooper Jackson had 11 points. Noah Cordell had 9, and Brody Jackson 6.

Cooper Jackson had 5 boards. Brody Jackson had 4, Jackson Archer and Kyle Davison 3, and Hayzer Florea and Reece Thummel 1.

Noah Cordell, Kyle Davison, Brody Jackson, Cooper Jackson, Hayzer Florea, and Reece Thummel had 1 assists each. Brody Jackson and Cooper Jackson had 2 tips. Jax Archer, Hayzer Florea, Noah Cordell, and Kipton Thummel had 1 each. Cooper Jackson had 2 steals, while Noah Cordell, Kyle Davison, and Brody Jackson had 1.

The “B” boys won 2-0 as Kipton Thummel cashed in off a steal, and the Bluejays made it stand up. Kipton Thummel had 2 boards and a tip. Beckem Kennard and Reece Thummel had 2 steals, while Kipton Thummel, Newton Adwell, and Kyle Davison had 1 each. 

Bentin Roberts has 14 Assists as Bluejay Boys Win Fourth Game

Bentin Roberts showed that his 16-assist night against North Harrison two games before was no accident as he dished out 14 more against South Holt Tuesday, February 17th as Northeast Nodaway won its fourth game of the year, 58-38 over South Holt. The Bluejays, unlike the girls, were coming off a buzzsaw at OSHS, where they got beat 70-34 as the Wildcards were in the middle of a six game rampage in which they brought down King City, Pattonsburg, and East Atchison as well. But the Bluejays rediscovered the form that had nearly worked against North Harrison as they fell into a 5-2 hole against South Holt, only for Bentin Roberts to start dishing the ball off at will and the rest of the team to get on the board.

First, it was Lance Runde to get the hot hand, scoring six points in an 8-0 Bluejay run that made it 10-5. Then, after South Holt threatened to make a game out of it when Cameron Biondo cut it to 13-10, Bentin Roberts drove and scored, Lance Runde aired one out to Wyatt Scadden for two, Reece Gray aired one out to Scadden for a free throw, and Scadden hit a 3-pointer as the Bluejays pulled away to a 21-13 first quarter lead. Like the North Harrison game, everything they threw up was going in.

But then South Holt pulled out their trapping zone and they started getting steals and easy baskets to chip away. Griffin Kemerling scored twice and Biondo got a steal as they closed to within 23-21 before Liam Cordell hit a 3-pointer to make it 26-21 at the half.

But unlike the North Harrison game, where the Bluejays couldn’t buy a stop defensively, they locked down on defense, holding the Knights to 17 as they solved the trapping zone and started to pull away.

Reece Gray started off the scoring with a 3-pointer, Lance Runde scored from inside after Bentin Roberts got him the ball, and Liam Cordell hit a 3-pointer to make it 34-21. Kameron Noland cut it to 34-25, but Liam Cordell hit a 3-pointer and Bentin Roberts hit Wyatt Scadden for three to make it 38-25. South Holt made another push as Will Jackson countered with a putback. But then Reece Gray took a charge on defense and Bentin Roberts kicked it out to Liam Cordell for three on the other end to make it 41-27.

Will Jackson kept going for the Knights, getting another putback to make it 41-29, but Lance Runde cut inside and scored to make it 43-29 after getting yet another pass from Bentin. At that point, frustration set in for South Holt and one of their players got a technical from Referee Tom Seipel and Runde made one free throw to make it 44-29. Bentin Roberts inbounded one to Wyatt Scadden, who drove and scored to make it 46-29 after three.

The Bluejays led by as much as 48-29 behind Bentin Roberts getting to the line and making two of four, but the Knights had another push in then, sparked by a tough baseline shot by Coltyn Fansher. Will Jackson cut inside and scored and Griffin Kemerling connected to make it 51-35. But Wyatt Scadden got loose in transition, Lance Runde hit a free throw, Benton Roberts hit two free throws, and Jace Burns got off the bench to score from inside to give Northeast its largest lead at 58-35.

Liam Cordell had 18 points. Wyatt Scadden had 15, Lance Runde 12, Bentin Roberts 8, Reece Gray 3, and Jace Burns 2.

Reece Gray had 2 blocks.

Bentin Roberts, Lance Runde, and Liam Cordell had 7 rebounds. Wyatt Scadden and Jace Burns had 5, Chase Allen and Reece Gray 2, and Jude Archer, Brady O’Connell, and Fenton Ackley had 1.

     Bentin Roberts had 14 assists. Wyatt Scadden had 3, Lance Runde 2, and Reece Gray 1.

Lance Runde had 4 tips. Bentin Roberts and Wyatt Scadden had 3, and Jude Archer, Chase Allen, and Liam Cordell 1.

Bentin Roberts had 5 steals. Lance Runde had 4, Wyatt Scadden 3, and Liam Cordell and Chase Allen had 1.

  

Hayley Yost Posts Career High as Bluejay Girls Win Second Straight

Northeast Nodaway’s girls won their second straight Tuesday, February 17th as they floored South Holt 51-28 on their senior night and gave their lone senior, Mylee Wilmes, a sendoff. It was a Party in the USA once again as Hayley Yost had a career high with 17 points and Wilmes dished out 10 assists the game after getting the game-winning 3-pointer against OSHS.

The overtime game between Northeast Nodaway and North Harrison turned out to benefit both teams, as both teams won their next two games following that matchup.

The Bluejays started off the game by feeding their two post players, Blair Nelson and Hayley Yost, at will, with Hayley getting the first four and Blair Nelson getting a free throw and following with a steal to make it 7-0. Hayley Yost scored from inside, Blair Nelson scored from inside, then Nelson got a putback to make it 13-0. Finally, someone besides those two got in on the scoring as Mylee Wilmes got a 3-pointer. After Blair Nelson knocked one down from the high post, Bristol Hicks knocked down a 3-pointer to put the Bluejays up 21-2 after one quarter. It was their biggest quarter of the year so far.

The Bluejays continued to pull away in the second quarter as Blair Nelson and Hayley Yost both scored from inside. Brianna Meyer got on the board for the Bluejays; then, Hayley Yost scored from inside and Meyer scored off a drive to make it 31-6 at the half.

But South Holt had won six games up to that point, and they started their comeback bid as Lexi VanHoutan got going for the Knights to start the third quarter to cut it to 33-11. Brianna Meyer picked up her third foul, followed by Hayley Yost after the latter knocked down a pair of free throws to make it 35-11. With them out of the game, the Knights threatened to storm back as Jacelyn Fansher scored twice and then Chloe DeBee scored three free throws to make it 35-18. Northeast was hacking and fouling in the quarter like they were the one playing from behind, not ahead. South Holt would get eight of their 16 points in the period from the line.

Meyer came back in, but VanHoutan would score again as the Knights twice cut it to 15, closing to within 37-22 at the end of three.

With the Bluejays back at full strength in the fourth quarter, they pulled away again as Blair Nelson got loose in transition and then cashed in on a steal to make it 41-22. Rylee Scadden got on the board, going backdoor and getting a pass from Mylee Wilmes to make it 43-22.

South Holt made one last charge as VanHoutan sparked them again with a steal, getting to within 46-28. But Hayley Yost scored the last five points as the Bluejays weathered the storm for the win.

Hayley Yost had 17 points. Blair Nelson had 15, Brianna Meyer 7, Bristol Hicks and Mylee Wilmes 5, and Rylee Scadden 2.

Hayley Yost and Brianna Meyer had 8 rebounds. Blair Nelson had 6, Mylee Wilmes, Bristol Hicks, and Piper Gray with 4 each, and Rylee Scadden 2.

Mylee Wilmes had 10 assists. Blair Nelson, Bristol Hicks, Rylee Scadden, and Brianna Meyer had 2, and Piper Gray had 1.

Rylee Scadden, Blair Nelson, and Hayley Yost had 3 steals. Brianna Meyer and Piper Gray had 2, and Bristol Hicks and Mylee Wilmes had 1.

 

Wyatt Maize Has 22 in Shamrock Victory; Liam Cordell has 28 Points, Bentin Roberts 16 Assists for Bluejays

Liam Cordell had 28 points for Northeast Nodaway’s Bluejays and Bentin Roberts turned in what may have been a record performance with 16 assists for the boys, but Wyatt Maize used a big second half to propel North Harrison past the Bluejays 61-59 Tuesday, February 10th.

At first, it looked like it would be all Bluejays. Reece Gray got loose in transition, and then Wyatt Scadden got two more. Then, Liam Cordell heated up with back-to-back triples to make it 10-0 before Gage Fortner hit a 3-pointer to put North Harrison on the board.

The avalanche continued for the Bluejays as Bentin Roberts was feeding other players at will from the point and they were cashing in. Reece Gray got loose in transition for three and Bentin Roberts got loose in transition and added a free throw. Liam Cordell got his third triple of the quarter and added a shot just inside the line, and Wyatt Scadden added a triple from the right wing. By the time the dust had settled, Northeast Nodaway was up 24-15 after one, and the Shamrocks were down for the count.

Cordell’s drive put the Bluejays up 27-16 at the 6:26 mark of the second, but then the Shamrocks settled down defensively, getting down and guarding people while they were chipping away. Wyatt Maize went coast to coast, Jensen Davis hit an NBA triple from the top of the key, Ryker Fortner drove and converted a three point play, Jensen Davis added a free throw, and Gage Fortner cashed in a steal to tie the game at 27.

But the Bluejays answered as Lance Runde hit a baseline shot, Liam Cordell went coast to coast, and Liam struck from three as the Bluejays regained a 34-30 lead at the half.

The third quarter started off well for the Shamrocks as Wyatt Maize drove and scored right off the bat. Wyatt Scadden countered with a 3-pointer, but Gage Fortner got a free throw, Wyatt Maize cleaned up after a Gage Fortner steal, Andrew Craig slashed and scored, and Wyatt Maize slashed and scored to put the Shamrocks in front for the first time at 39-37.

Jace Burns hit three straight to put the Bluejays back in front 40-39, but then Jensen Davis got a bullet pass from Wyatt Maize for two. Maize kept getting loose in transition during the next stretch, and then drove and hit a guarded pullup shot in the high post to make it 47-40 in North Harrison’s favor. Lance Runde’s free throw stopped the bleeding temporarily for Northeast, but Tate Richardson hit two free throws and Jensen Davis got loose in transition to put North Harrison up 51-41 after three.

But Liam Cordell heated up again for the Bluejays, and they got right back in it to start the fourth. He got loose in transition for two, and then added a triple to make it 51-46. Wyatt Maize countered with an inside shot set up by a Jensen Davis drive to make it 53-46, but Liam kept coming, hitting another 3-pointer. Wyatt Scadden hit a shot in the high post, and Liam hit another triple, and all of a sudden, the Bluejays were in the lead at 54-53. Jensen Davis put the Shamrocks back in front 55-54, only for Lance Runde to score from inside to put the Bluejays in front 56-55.

Reece Gray took a charge on defense for the Bluejays, but the Shamrocks got a stop, and Wyatt Maize hit a 3-pointer to give the Shamrocks a 58-56 lead. Wyatt Scadden missed a pullup in the high post, and North Harrison went to its delay game before Andrew Craig found Ryker Fortner inside to put the Shamrocks up two possessions at 60-56.

But Wyatt Scadden hit a guarded three with 20 seconds to make it 60-59, and Northeast nearly forced a tieup in the backcourt with 12 seconds left before getting Wyatt Maize fouled with 5 seconds left. He made one of two to put North Harrison up 61-59.

Northeast Nodaway rushed it up the floor, and Wyatt Scadden found Bentin Roberts all alone on the left wing for three for a shot which would have won it. But the shot went up and over the top, giving the ball back to North Harrison with 1.7 seconds left.

North Harrison aired the ball out to half court, and Wyatt Scadden nearly stole it, but the ball caromed off him and a Shamrock player as time expired.

For Northeast Nodaway, Liam Cordell had 28 points. Wyatt Scadden had 15, Reece Gray and Lance Runde 5, Bentin Roberts 3, and Jace Burns 3.

Wyatt Scadden, Reece Gray, and Bentin Roberts had blocked shots.

Wyatt Scadden had 8 rebounds. Bentin Roberts and Reece Gray had 4, Liam Cordell and Jace Burns 3, and Lance Runde 2.

Bentin Roberts had 16 assists. Reece Gray and Wyatt Scadden had 3, Liam Cordell had 2, and Lance Runde 1.

Wyatt Scadden had 5 tips. Bentin Roberts and Lance Runde had 2, and Reece Gray and Liam Cordell had 1.

Wyatt Scadden and Bentin Roberts had 3 steals. Reece Gray had 2 and Liam Cordell 1.

For North Harrison, Wyatt Maize had 22 points, 16 in the second half. Jensen Davis had 13, Gage Fortner 9, Ryker Fortner 8, Andrew Craig 7, and Tate Richardson 2.

Wyatt Maize had 1 block.

Gage Fortner had 11 rebounds. Wyatt Maize had 9, Ethan Henson 6, Andrew Craig 5, Jensen Davis and Ryker Fortner 3, and Tate Richardson 1.

Wyatt Maize had 6 assists. Jensen Davis and Ryker Fortner had 3 each, Tate Richardson, Gage Fortner, and Ethan Henson 2, and Andrew Craig 1.

Wyatt Maize had 8 tips. Gage Fortner had 4, Jensen Davis and Ryker Fortner had 2, and Ethan Henson and Tate Richardson had 1.

Wyatt Maize and Gage Fortner had 3 steals. Andrew Craig, Jensen Davis, and Ryker Fortner had 1.

 

Ava Rinehart Bails Out Shamrocks Against Bluejays; Blair Nelson Scores 21 for NEN

Northeast Nodaway’s girls posted season highs in points scored, breaking 40 for the first time all year despite being shorthanded. North Harrison needed a late outburst from Ava Rinehart, after she had not scored all game, to force overtime. The Shamrocks were also playing shorthanded that game. North Harrison finally took control in the extra period and won 54-49, denying the Bluejays their first win of the season. But the Bluejays were able to build on that game and win three nights later in Osborn, getting a last-second shot from Mylee Wilmes to win 27-26.

With the season not going the way they wanted it to, the Bluejays had two choices — fold or keep grinding and see the light at the end of the tunnel. Many college teams in their shoes have folded; for instance, the Kansas State Wildcats men’s basketball program fired its coach mid-season after they quit playing at home and suffered an embarrassing 91-62 loss to a previously slumping Cincinnati team that was shorthanded. But the Bluejays have been showing improvement since the start of the season, and finally broke the 30-point barrier regularly even against good teams after scoring 30 in only two of its first 16 games.

The Bluejays are hopeful that next year, with all but one of their players back for next year, the addition of incoming freshmen like Maddie Faustlin, Khloe Burns, and Kiley Yost, and a more stable coaching situation (the Bluejays are on their third coach in two years) will help them get back to .500.

For North Harrison, they were fighting a slump; after taking third in the Gilman City Tournament, they lost two heartbreakers to Albany and North Andrew as they reverted back to struggling to finish off close games. They were heavily favored to win a breather, but it was the Bluejays who jumped out on top after Blair Nelson grabbed an offensive board and flipped it in, Brianna Meyer got a steal and drive, and Nelson hit a free throw to put them up 8-4 midway through the first.

Hali Smith heated up to knot the game up at 9-9 for the Shamrocks after one, but once again, the Bluejays moved out in front again after Hayley Host hit a free throw and Blair Nelson hit a 3-pointer to make it 13-9 with 6:10 left in the second.

It looked like the ship would begin to right itself for the Shamrocks after Blair Nelson picked up her second foul and Brianna Meyer picked up her third. But after Hali Smith chipped away on the free throw line and got the Shamrock deficit down to 14-13, Mylee Wilmes promptly hit a 3-pointer to put the Bluejays back up four.

With Jaxcynn Hansel picking up her third foul, the Bluejays were the ones threatening to pull away after Brianna Meyer scored twice off passes from Piper Gray to make it 21-13.

But then Lani Briggs countered with a 3-pointer to stop the bleeding for the Shamrocks. As Hayley Yost picked up her third foul for the Bluejays, the Shamrocks kept coming as Addison Milligan hit a free throw with 33 seconds left to make it 21-17. Blair Nelson countered with a free throw for NEN with 12 seconds left, but North Harrison rushed it up the floor, and Hali Smith hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer to make it 22-20.

The third quarter started with the teams trading blow for blow as Blair Nelson and Hayley Yost were connecting for Northeast and Hali Smith, Lani Briggs, and Jaxcynn Hansel connecting for the Shamrocks. But with the Bluejays leading 28-27, they put North Harrison on the ropes despite Yost going to the bench with four fouls as Mylee Wilmes hitting a 3-pointer and Blair Nelson scoring an inside shot and a pair of free throws to put the Bluejays up 35-27 at the end of three.

But then Addison Milligan slashed down the right side and cashed in at the free throw line to start the fourth. North Harrison got a stop, and then Jaxcynn Hansel aired it out to Ava Rinehart, who had not scored all game, to make it 35-31. Ava then stayed in the backcourt and stole the ensuing inbounds pass, turning it into two free throws to make it 35-33. After another stop, Hali Smith slashed down the right baseline and scored, drawing Brianna Meyer’s fourth foul, and converting a three-point play. Just like that, the Bluejay lead was gone, and the Shamrocks were ahead 36-35.

But just as it looked like the Bluejays were finished, they fought back as Blair Nelson knocked one down from the high post to put the Bluejays back ahead 37-36. Hali Smith knotted it up at the free throw line, but Hayley Yost put the Bluejays back up 40-37 after converting a three-point play in the post. Despite Yost subsequently picking up her fifth foul, Blair Nelson scored again to make it 42-37 with 3:58 left.

But Ava Rinehart resurrected North Harrison’s chances with a 3-pointer from the wing. Blair Nelson countered with a free throw, but Jaxcynn Hansel scored from inside and Ava Rinehart added a free throw after a steal to knot it up at 43 with 1:50 left.

Hali Smith got a steal, but subsequently missed a shot from the left wing, and the game remained tied. Northeast held it for the last shot. North Harrison got a tie-up with 39 seconds, but the possession arrow pointed to the Bluejays and the possession continued. Blair Nelson finally tried to split two defenders but traveled and the ball went back to the Shamrocks.

But Mylee Wilmes stole the ball back with 14 seconds left, and Lani Briggs fouled her during the scramble, putting Wilmes at the line. But she missed both tries, and Lani Briggs got loose with seven seconds left in transition to put the Shamrocks up 45-43.

The Bluejays had struggled to break full court presses all year, and the Shamrocks played full court denial on the subsequent inbounds play. But Brianna Meyer rushed it up the floor and found Blair Nelson at the buzzer to force overtime.

But the extra period belonged to the Shamrocks after Ava Rinehart started it off with a 3-pointer. Jaxcynn Hansel got a putback to make it 50-45, and with the Bluejays down to six players, one on the bench with five fouls, and two others with four, it was very difficult for them to get the ball back to make a game of it.

Rylee Scadden got on the board, cutting inside and scoring, but Lani Briggs countered with a 3-pointer to make it 53-47. Brianna Meyer hit a free throw with 1:21 left, but the Shamrocks started running out the clock, taking it down to 25 seconds before the Bluejays fouled Lani Briggs. She made one of two to make it 54-49.

Mylee Wilmes countered with a free throw to make it 54-49 with 18 seconds left, and Lani Briggs lost it out of bounds against the Bluejay pressure to give them one more chance. But Brianna Meyer missed a shot in the high post and the Shamrocks were able to run out the clock.

For Northeast Nodaway, Blair Nelson had 21, Hayley Yost had 10, Brianna Meyer 9, Mylee Wilmes 7, and Rylee Scadden 2.

Blair Nelson had 2 blocks.

Brianna Meyer had 14 boards, a career high. Blair Nelson had 11, Hayley Yost 8, Piper Gray 5, Rylee Scadden 4, and Mylee Wilmes 3.

Brianna Meyer had 6 assists. Piper Gray and Mylee Wilmes had 4, Blair Nelson 3, Rylee Scadden 2, and Hayley Yost 1.

Brianna Meyer had 3 tips. Hayley Yost, Blair Nelson, and Mylee Wilmes had 1.

Brianna Meyer had 5 steals. Mylee Wilmes and Hayley Yost had 1.

For North Harrison, Hali Smith had 18 points. Lani Briggs had 13, Ava Rinehart 12, Jaxcynn Hansel 8, and Addison Milligan 3.

Hali Smith had 5 blocks and Addison Milligan 1.

Hali Smith went beast mode on the boards with a career high 17. Addison Milligan had 12, also a career high. Jaxcynn Hansel had 12, Ava Rinehart 4, Lani Briggs 3, and Raegan Hogan 1.

Addison Milligan and Hali Smith had 5 assists. Ava Rinehart and Jaxcynn Hansel had 4 and Lani Briggs 1.

Ava Rinehart had 6 tips. Raedan Hogan and Lani Briggs had 3, Addison Milligan 2, and Hali Smith and Jaxcynn Hansel had 1.

Lani Briggs and Hali Smith had 4 steals. Ava Rinehart had 3 and Addison Milligan had 1.