By Scott Bidroski The Western Trails Conference (WTC) Tournament took place last week and the Mustangs would play a trio of games to earn a hard fought third place.
The team came into the tourney in the #3 ranking and would welcome in Hemingford on Thursday, February 1 for the first round.
The Mustangs would race out in this one to a big lead in the first half and would cruise to the win, 50-23.
Senior Haley Johnson led the scoring with 21 points. Fellow senior McKinley Grover added in 12 points, 18 rebounds, and 6 assists in the win as well.
The team would load up the bus for the second round as Western Nebraska Community College (WNCC) would play host for the next two days.
The Mustangs would have to face the #2 seeded Bayard Tigers in that second round with a trip to title game on the line.
The Tigers used a stout defense and timely offense to build a lead throughout the contest.
The Mustangs would take runs and chip into those leads but could not overcome, losing by the final score of 49-40.
Johnson and senior Trinity Taylor both scored 14 points in the losing effort.
The loss dropped the Mustangs into the third place game the following day against Morrill.
The two teams tipped off on Saturday, February 3 at WNCC and the Mustangs came out firing.
A 24-4 first quarter lead would turn into a convincing 65-43 win to earn the third place trophy.
Taylor had a career high 24 points in the win to go along with 11 rebounds. Grover added in 14 points of her own and 11 rebounds. Johnson chipped in another 13 points and 9 assists.
The team will welcome in the Bridgeport Bulldogs on Friday, February 9.
The game will be Senior Night and the five Mustang seniors will be honored.
Those senior include: Trinity Taylor, Lillee Schmidt, Haley Johnson, McKinley Grover, and Skye Tausan.
Following the senior night game, the team will begin postseason play.
The location and opponents are to be determined but the first game will take place on Monday, February 12.
The Mustangs record for th 2023-24 season stands at 14-5 overall.