WP starts off season with win

    Fans were on the edges of their seats as time wore down in Thursday’s Wauneta-Palisade/Wallace boys’ basketball game.
    Behind eight points by Jacksen Littrel, the Broncos trailed 10-17 at halftime.
    Grayden Sutherland and Ashton Wheeler hit field goals in the third quarter to cut the Broncos’ deficit to five, 16-21.
    Five Broncos scored in the fourth quarter. WP trailed by two, 25-27, with 14.7 seconds left. Both teams managed to turn the ball over as the seconds ticked off and Wallace had a chance to lock down the game with free throws. After the Wildcats missed the front end of a 1-and-1, WP drove down the court and found Michael Duvel open on a wing for a three pointer at the buzzer to win the game, 28-27.
    Littrel finished with 11 points and 10 rebounds to lead WP.
    WP Head Coach Joseph Frecks said it was a good first game.
    “I was proud of the defensive effort, especially with the adjustments made during the game,” Frecks said, adding the entire night was exciting with Ashton Wheeler hitting a game winning three pointer in the JV game from the same spot as Duvel.
    WP was on its home court the following night when it took on Cambridge.
    Frecks said the Trojans are a very big and physical team with some good young outside shooters.
    The Broncos fell behind 0-11 in the first three minutes of the game and trailed 8-17 at the end of the first quarter. WP only gave up three field goals in the second quarter and nibbled away at the Trojan lead. WP trailed 18-26 at halftime.
    Frecks said from the five minute mark in the first quarter until seven minutes left in the fourth, WP actually outscored the Trojans 24-22.     Both teams struggled from the floor after halftime. The Broncos only made three field goals in the second half and added four free throws.
    Cambridge pulled away with a 15-point fourth quarter to hand WP the 28-48 loss.
    Sutherland finished with 10 points.
    “I am very proud of how hard the boys fought and didn’t let our slow start hurt our effort and attitude,” Frecks said.
    Cambridge pulled down 17 offensive rebounds in the game and Frecks said that led to some big shots by the Trojans in the fourth quarter.
    “Our defensive effort was awesome throughout the game, and we will look to continue to grow on that defensive performance and play offense and shoot the ball with more confidence moving forward,” he added.
Up next
    The Cattle Trail Tournament tipped off Tuesday in McCook. The Broncos took on Hitchcock County in the first round.
    WP lost to the Falcons and will play Decatur Community, Kansas Friday at 5 p.m. CT at the McCook Senior High.
    Final games will be played Saturday. WP will play at 2:30 p.m. CT at either McCook Community College or MHS.