Lady Wildcats struggle through tough week

The Banner County Lady Wildcats opened their weekend on Friday, Dec. 18 with an away game against the Leyton Lady Warriors. The Banner County ladies were out shot by the older, more experienced Warriors who took the win 48-12.

Lady Wildcat MaKenna Dahlgrin led the scoring with five points. Dahlgrin went 1/12 for two-point shots and landed one of two three-point attempts. Dahlgrin also contributed two offensive and eight defensive rebounds.

Senior Shaylee White added four to the score board, pulled down three rebounds, and one steal. Both White and Dahlgrin racked up a total of four personal fouls during the physical match-up.

Savannah Jordan, named Player of the Game, added three points to the board for the Lady Wildcats. Paige Cross pulled down eight rebounds and was credited with one steal while Courtney Knisley grabbed three rebounds, and Emily Singleton pulled down one.

Banner County hosted Creek Valley on Saturday, for a closer game, but ultimately taking a loss 43-23 to the larger Creek Valley team.

The Lady Wildcats nearly doubled their score for the second game of the weekend, with Dahlgrin once again leading in points with 10, followed by Knisley with six, White, Singleton and Cross each with two and young Jadyn Cross contributed one.

The Banner County ladies played a tough defense with Dahlgrin pulling down a total of 13 rebounds, nine defensive. Paige Cross grabbed six, Singleton pulled down four followed by Knisley with three and Jordan, White, and Jadyn Cross each grabbing two.

The Lady Wildcats were more successful stealing the ball as well with a total of 13 steals. The ladies seemed to have a bit of trouble with ball handling and racked up 23 turnovers.

After a day of rest the Wildcats were once again on the road for the Harrison holiday tournament on Monday, Dec. 21 where they matched off against the Crawford Rams.

The Banner County ladies fell behind in the first quarter 6-12 and after a huge scoring streak for the opponents, ended the first half behind 33-9.

Dahlgrin led with 11 points, 10 rebounds and three successful steals while teammates Paige Cross and White each contributed four points and three rebound followed by Singleton with three points and and four rebounds.

Knisley contributed two points, two steals and pulled down three rebounds and Jordan one point with four rebounds and three steals. Sophomore Bailey Underhill grabbed two rebounds and two steals.

Turnovers were high for the Lady Wildcats with a total of 41 and Dahlgrin, White, Singleton and Paige Cross each found themselves in foul trouble – totaling 14 between them.

The Lady Wildcats followed up the second day of the tournament with a match against Sioux County. Despite their efforts, the Banner County ladies fell to the Lady Warriors 57-35.

Leading the fight against the Lady Warriors, Dahlgrin scored 13, going 6/10 field goals and one of two attempts at the line. She added two offensive and four defensive rebounds and racked up five personal fouls.

Paige Cross followed with six points to her credit with four from the free throw line and a two-pointer. Cross pulled down eight rebounds, three offensively and five on defense with one steal.

Teammate Jordan added four points of her own going one for four field goals and 2/8 from the line. Jordan pulled down two rebounds, splitting them between offense and defense, and one steal.

Teammate Knisley also contributed four points making two of six two-point shots. Knisley grabbed seven rebounds and added three steals.

Jadyn Cross hit both attempted field goals, adding another four to the board and pulled in two offensive rebounds.

White added two points of her own, both from the line and pulled in one offensive rebound and three defensive rebounds, but also received five personal fouls.

Emily Singleton rounded out the Lady Wildcats game with two points a defensive rebound and two steals.

Following the break the Lady Wildcats will travel to Hay Springs on January 8, 2016.