Broncos beat Arthur Co., fall to Wallace in subs

The Wauneta-Palisade boys’ basketball team entered the postseason on a high after beating Arthur County 67-63 in double overtime to end the regular season.
Ashton Wheeler had the hot hand for the Broncos in the first period, hitting two 3s around a bucket by Michael Duvel. Grayden Sutherland also made a three pointer to help WP to an 11-10 first quarter lead.
“We started off really strong defensively and were able to hit some outside shots early in the game,” Head Coach Joseph Frecks said.
WP had its hands full in the second quarter. Duvel and Wheeler hit 3s, while Sutherland and Jacksen Littel added points, but the Broncos trailed 25-26 at halftime.
Despite four three pointers by the Wolves in the third quarter, WP hung tough. Sutherland and Duvel added three baskets from long distance and three other Broncos scored in the quarter.
Trailing 42-44 entering the fourth quarter, WP made up the two points it needed. Littrell stepped up with nine points and Wheeler five over the final eight minutes of regulation. Overall the team shot 21 free throws in the fourth quarter.
Wheeler scored WP’s only basket of the first overtime to match two free throws by Arthur County.
Littrell scored eight of WP’s nine points in the second overtime to give the Broncos the win.
“I was very proud of the way the boys were able to battle the entire game through some momentum swings,” Frecks said.
Frecks highlighted Wheeler’s big first half when he hit shots early and gave WP the early momentum.  
“Both Grayden and Michael hit shots at key times throughout the game for us, as well. Our defensive effort and intensity level was set high by Kyle and the whole team was able to feed off of that energy on both ends of the floor,” Frecks said.
Littrel came up big late in the game, Frecks added.
“I am proud of this team and especially happy for the seniors to finish their last home game with a great team win.  This is a great bunch of kids and we are excited as we enter in to post-season play,” Frecks said.
Wheeler and Littrel scored 23 and 21 points, respectively. Sutherland finished with 11 points and Duvel 10.
WP played Wallace, subdistrict D2-9’s top seed, Tuesday in a rematch of both teams’ season opener that the Broncos won at the buzzer.
Wallace got the better of WP Tuesday night, ending the Broncos’ season with 46-62 loss.
A recap of the game will be included in next week’s Republican.