Goings leads WP in record breaking win

    It’s been a team goal for a while, the Wauneta-Palisade girls’ basketball team finally set the school three-point record they’ve had their eyes on.
    WP hit 11 three pointers in last week’s 63-29 win over Dundy County Stratton, breaking a 16-year old school record.
    The 2003-2004 Broncos hit 10 three pointers against Rushville and the 2006-2007 team hit 10 three pointers twice, once against Dundy County and again against Maywood.
    This year’s Broncos were propelled by record tying night from GraCee Goings. The junior hit eight three pointers which ties the school record. Bethany Riener hit eight 3s in a game during the 2010-2011 season.
    Head Coach Matt Cox maybe had the understatement of the season when he said WP was very good from beyond the arc in the DCS win.
    WP made 11-21 as a team. Goings hit 8-14.
    “The girls have been chasing the team three point record for a couple years and I was proud of them for breaking it tonight,” Cox said.
    Goings hit three 3s in the first quarter and Halle Bardsley added another as WP jumped out to a 23-10 lead in the first quarter.
    Goings and Cali Cox each hit one three pointer in the second quarter. WP’s defense stepped up before halftime and held DCS to five points in the second quarter.
    With Goings at the top of the Broncos defense, WP herded DCS to its left and never let the Tigers get settled.
    “Gracee gets the toughest defensive assignment every night. She’s either herding the ball into traps or she’s defending the other team’s best offensive player,” Cox said.
    “She has a huge engine, plays with a ton of heart and hardly ever gets a break,” Cox added.
    The Broncos gave up two three pointers to DCS in the third quarter, but Goings matched that with three of her own. C. Cox hit another three pointer as WP expanded its lead to 60-21.
    Goings stayed in the game long enough to hit her eighth three pointer for WP’s only fourth quarter points.
    Goings finished the night with 35 points.
    Goings started off the game on fire from behind the arc, and it was contagious, Cox said.
    “Unselfish ball movement, accurate skip passes and shooting efficiently from beyond the arc really helped open up our offense tonight,” Cox said.
    C. Cox chipped in 10 points.
    It was the second game in a row that Cox said was a really complete four quarters of basketball.
    “I was pleased with our defense and our offense in transition,” Cox said, adding DCS has really young players and they play really hard.
Up next
    The Broncos will play Arapahoe (3-5) Thursday in the first round of the Arapahoe Holiday Tournament. Tip off will be at 5:30 p.m. CT.
    “It’ll be a competitive tournament but at least we get a practice this year before we go down there,” Cox said.
    WP will play either Blue Hill (2-3) or North Platte St. Pat’s (3-5) Friday at 5:30 p.m. CT.