Wauneta-Palisade boys look to rebound at Cattle Trail Tourney

    If the Wauneta-Palisade boys’ want to bounce back from two losses to open the season, rebounding may be the key.
    Both of the Broncos’ opening week opponents, Wallace and Cambridge, went 2-0.
    “We started off the season against two solid teams,” WP Head Coach Jacob Pritchard said.
    WP got off two slow starts in both games.
    Luckily for the Broncos, so did Wallace Thursday night. Aidan Kennicutt made WP’s only field goal in the first quarter, but the Wildcats didn’t fare much better, only making three field goals.
    Kennicutt added a second basket in the second quarter and Michael Duvel subbed in and knocked down a three pointer.
    Wallace warmed up from the field in the quarter, leaving WP trailing 7-21 at halftime.
    Kyle Jutten, Ruel Malcolm and Garrett Hanna added third quarter baskets to go with four more points by Kennicutt. Wallace also had its best scoring quarter of the game in the third and WP’s deficit grew to 17-39.
    Jutten, Malcolm and Hanna added field goals in the fourth quarter of the 24-51 loss.
    Kennicutt led the Broncos with eight points.
    WP’s first quarter offensive woes continued the next night in Cambridge
    The Broncos were held scoreless in the first quarter as Cambridge took a 0-19 lead.
    Two free throws by Grant Walker got WP on the board in the second quarter. Back-to-back baskets by Hanna were followed by a bucket by Laiden Lawler to wrap up first half scoring for the Broncos.
    WP trailed the Trojans 8-35 at halftime.
    Walker scored back-to-back baskets in the third quarter and Lawler added another field goal.
    Both teams went to their benches in the fourth quarter and WP competed well with the Trojans as time ran out in the game.
    Lawler, on his way to a game high nine points, hit a three pointer and a two-point bucket. Hanna and Jacksen Littrel rattled in field goals before Duvel added a three pointer.
    Walker scored his eighth point of the game and Kyle Jutten scored six points. Grayden Sutherland rounded out scoring with a free throw.
    Defensively, WP held Cambridge to five fourth-quarter points in the 35-51 loss.
    Looking back on the games, Pritchard said the Broncos have played some good defense, but need to make better decisions on offense.
    Offensive rebounds has been and will continue to be a focus for the Broncos, he added.
Up next
    WP headed to McCook for the Cattle Trail Tournament Tuesday, Friday and Saturday.
    “This week I expect to see our team play with high energy and clean up our unnecessary turnovers,” Pritchard said.
    The Broncos kicked off the Cattle Trail Tournament Tuesday night with a loss to Dundy County Stratton.
    Maywood/Hayes Center beat Arapahoe 63-29 in their first round contest setting up a matchup between WP and the Warriors Friday night at 8 p.m. CT. The teams will face off at McCook Senior High.
    The tournament will wrap up Saturday.
    Possible opponents include Decatur Community, Kansas or Southwest.
    The fifth place game will be played at MCC and the seventh place game at the senior high. Both will begin at 2:30 p.m. CT.