Broncos beat Rawlins County, fall to MHC

    The Wauneta-Palisade boys’ basketball team earned win number four last week, with a Tuesday night victory over Atwood-Rawlins County, Kansas (6-15).
    In the low scoring first quarter, Aidan Kennicutt scored all three of the Broncos’ points. Defensively WP held the Buffaloes to two baskets and only trailed 3-4 heading into the second quarter.
    Robert Hanna hit a two pointer to start off WP scoring  in the second quarter. Laiden Lawler knocked down a three pointer and Kennicutt added another field goal for the Broncos. Rawlins County made four field goals and added three free throws before halftime. WP trailed 10-15 as the teams entered the halftime break.
    Both teams found another level to their offenses in the third quarter.
    Lawler made the Broncos’ first basket of the half, followed by a bucket from Kennicutt. Hanna made baskets around another field goal by Lawler. Grant Walker scored his first field goal with Michael Duvel soon following suit. Ruel Malcolm sunk a free throw before Lawler ended WP’s scoring in the third quarter with a three pointer. The Broncos gave up two 3s and four two-point field goals over the same span and closed their deficit to 28-29.
    Wauneta-Palisade took control in the fourth quarter. All five starters made field goals and combined to make 11-14 free throws.
    Kennicutt scored to start the Broncos off. Lawler continued to shoot well and made three free throws after being fouled on a shot from behind the arc. Hanna, Lawler and Kennicutt kept the offense flowing with baskets. Hanna scored five points around a bucket by Malcolm. Malcolm added two free throws and Walker converted a conventional three-point play. A free throw by Kennicutt rounded out WP scoring.
    One Rawlins County player scored 11 of the team’s 17 points in the fourth quarter by WP blew by the Buffaloes and took a 52-46 win.
    Lawler scored a team high 15 points. Hanna added 13 points and Kennicutt scored 12 points.
    Wauneta-Palisade faced 15-8 Maywood/Hayes Center Friday in Hayes Center.
    The evening got off to another slow start for WP. Jacksen Littrel made the Broncos’ only field goal of the first quarter. Malcolm, Hanna and Kennicutt each went 1-2 from the charity stripe. The Wolves didn’t get off to a fast start either, only scoring 13 first quarter points.
    Both teams picked up the offensive pace in the second quarter, but, with 23 points, Maywood/Hayes Center was able to increase its lead. Walker heated up from straight away and scored six points before halftime. Lawler and Hanna added baskets, as well, but Wauneta-Palisade trailed 15-36 at the half.
    As Maywood/Hayes Center went to its bench in the third quarter, the Broncos matched their pace. Kennicutt, Walker and Hanna each made two field goals and Littrel added another. Maywood/Hayes Center made two three pointers, but was limited to 12 points in the quarter.
    Walker shot well in the fourth quarter. The senior made two baskets from the top of the key, one a three pointer and one a two pointer. Malcolm made Wauneta-Palisade’s only other fourth quarter field goal in the 38-71 loss.
    Walker was the only Bronco in double figures, finishing with 17 points.
Up next
    The D1-11 subdistrict will begin Monday night in Benkelman when the Broncos, as the fifth seed, play fourth-seeded Southwest (5-15). WP lost to the Roughriders 33-45 Jan. 8.
    Dundy County Stratton (19-3) will host the subdistrict and play the winner of Monday night’s game Tuesday. The Tigers are second overall in the Class D1 point standings.
    Second-seeded Maywood/Hayes Center and third-seeded Cambridge (15-7) will play in the second game Tuesday night.
    Winners of Tuesday’s games will play Thursday with a district berth on the line.
    Boys Class C1, C2, D1 and D2 district games may be played Feb, 26, 28 or March 1.