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Sophie Spady, who has earned a starting position in recent weeks, looks for some teammates to pass off the ball Friday night as she’s guarded by a Gothenburg defender. (Johnson Publications photo)

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Ragan Nickless had a banner night on offense Friday with 17 points scored against Gothenburg. Here, she goes up for two over the hands of Gracie Stienike, Gothenbrug’s leading scorer who was held to less than half of her normal scoring in the Chase County win. (Johnson Publications photo)

It’s a winning week for girls’ basketball

    Chalk up a trio of wins for the Chase County girls’ varsity basketball team last week with victories over So. Valley, Perkins County and Gothenburg.
    Added to wins against Kimball, the Lady Longhorns are on a five-game winning streak.
    The biggest win of the week came Friday when Chase County toppled Gothenburg, 52-36.
    Not only does Gothenburg represent one of the four other teams in the same subdistrict as Chase County, they are also the only team that’s beaten North Platte St. Pat’s, who Chase County will face tonight (Thursday) in the SPVA tournament semi-finals.
    “That was a good win,” said Coach Mark Bottom.
    “We hope to build on that this week.”
    Both teams came out of the gates first quarter with strong scoring, but Gothenburg was held to just four points second quarter as Chase County racked up another 16.
    That put them up 34-15 at the half. Another 15 points third quarter sealed the win.
    Coach Bottom credited senior Ragan Nickless for setting the tone for Chase County. Her 17 points led both teams, but her defense was big, he said.
    She was set up to guard Gothenburg’s leading scorer, Gracie Stieneke, by fronting her with help on the back side, he said. Stieneke, who averages 22 points a game, was held to just one point first half and 10 overall.
    “That was key,” he said.
    In addition, two other Lady Longhorns were in double figures with Lauren Gockley scoring 11 and Allison Owings, 10.
    “Having three in double figures, that always helps,” Bottom said.
    Team scoring leader Mallie McNair, who averages 13 a game, was held to five against the Lady Swedes. She was in foul trouble early, “but does so much quietly,” the coach said.
    McNair had five steals in the game, while Nickless racked up a double-double with 13 rebounds and her 17 points.
    In team stats, Chase County shot 45 percent from the field (20-44) from two-point range and was 54 percent at the line (6-11).

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