Broncos take third at Arapahoe tournament

The Wauneta-Palisade boys’ basketball team picked up its second win of the season en route to a third place finish at the Arapahoe tournament.
The Broncos scoring struggles continued in a 27-68 opening round loss to North Platte St. Pat’s (7-2). The Irish, ranked in the Class D1 preseason polls, held WP scoreless in the first quarter.
Kyle Jutten and Braxton McKinney made four free throws for WP’s first four points. Garrett Hanna scored the Broncos’ final seven points in the second quarter.
Allen Ramirez, McKinney and Hanna hit third quarter three pointers. Laiden Lawler scored WP’s only fourth quarter points.
Hanna paced WP with 11 points in the 27-68 loss. Ramirez, McKinney and Malcolm had three rebounds apiece.
WP Head Coach Rod Gaston said St. Pat’s is very good and the Broncos need to look forward to playing that caliber of team.  
“It makes us better regardless of the outcome,” Gaston said.  
“Playing up in competition always helps and our guys do play hard.  This helps us in taking the steps to move forward,” Gaston added.
Wauneta-Palisade turned around and faced Arapahoe the next afternoon in the consolation. The Broncos lost 30-46 to the Warriors Dec. 8 in the Cattle Trail Invitational. Gaston thought the tough loss against NPSP helped get WP ready to play at a higher level against Arapahoe.
“I think it showed by getting an early lead in the game,” Gaston added. Hanna scored five points and McKinney four as WP took a 9-5 lead.
The Broncos trailed briefly in the second quarter, 9-10, before going on a 10-0 run kicked off by a Hanna three pointer.
McKinney scored 10 of WP’s 14 second quarter points with the Broncos’ other four points coming on free throws.

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