Potter-Dix Girls Lose Close One To Banner County In Subdistrict Finals

Sidney – The Potter-Dix Lady Coyotes played hard and the score was tied after three quarters, but they dropped a 34-23 loss in the D2-11 subdistrict tournament finals to Banner County.

Banner County will play Hay Springs at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 26 in Bayard in the D2-6 district finals.

Banner County has a 19-4 record after subdistrict play and Potter-Dix is 8-15.

It was a close game, with the Wildcats edging Potter-Dix 7-6 in the first quarter and Banner County outscored the Lady Coyotes 8-5 in the second as Potter-Dix trailed 15-11 at the halftime break.

Potter-Dix rallied in the third quarter against the Wildcats defense to outscore them 9-5 and tie the game at 20-20 with eight minutes left in the championship game.

The Wildcats used strong defense and five fourth quarter free throws to outscore Potter-Dix 34-23 for the D2-11 subdistrict championship.

It was a very defensive game and the Lady Coyotes had four players who scored points as they were led by Stephanie Mitchell with nine points,
Dani Jones scored six points including both of her free throws, freshman Conner Wolf made five points and Brandi Heitman made one trey for three points.

Potter-Dix made eight field goals, one three point basket and four of five of their shots from the stripe.

If they had shot more from the line, the game could have been different, especially in the fourth quarter after the score was tied at 20.

The Wildcats were led by senior Kinsey Knaub who made 17 points.

Banner County made 13 field goals and was eight out of 22 from the free throw line.

The Wildcats took a 4-0 lead early but Mitchell tied the game at four and Potter-Dix enjoyed a slim 6-4 lead.

Banner County started applying pressure on the Lady Coyote who received a throw in pass and tied the game at six all.

Jones hit a field goal in the second quarter and Potter-Dix started using short passes to escape the Wildcat press.

Wildcats stole the ball out of the Lady Coyotes hands, often without a foul being called. Banner County got off three shots in a row under the basket without it going through the net but led 14-8 late in the first half.

Mitchell sank a free throw and Wolff caught an inbound pass to score a field goal.

In the second half Potter-Dix passed better to avoid having Banner County tying up the ball.

Dani Jones was fouled and sank both free throws.

Brandy Newbanks drained a huge three point basket to make it a three point game as the Lady Coyotes trailed 19-16 late in the third quarter.

Mitchell grabbed a rebound and on the next play used a twist play and scored a field goal as Potter-Dix closed to within two points trailing 20-18.

Mitchell nailed a bucket tying the game at 20 as the third quarter ended.

There was lots of defense played early in the final quarter and Bethany Cooper tied up the ball for the Wildcats. Banner County hit a pair of free throws to lead 22-20.

Potter-Dix made a turnover and Jones grabbed a rebound.

Kristyn  Barnes tied up the ball for the Lady Coyotes and Mitchell got the rebound.

The Wildcats led 24-20 with 4:17 left in the game and Knaub hit a free throw for the Wildcats

The Wildcats made a layup and Wolf sank a free throw.

Banner County kept up the defensive pressure and took the 34-23 win to eliminate Potter-Dix from the tournament.

Wolf was the top rebounder for the Lady Coyote with ten boards and Jones had five. Mitchell blocked two shots.