Potter-Dix girls fall short in playoff loss to Sutherland

Though the Potter-Dix High Lady Coyotes made a furious comeback attempt in the fourth quarter of their D1-12 semifinal game at the Auditorium in Ogallala Tuesday night, their season came to an abrupt end in a 39-36 setback to the Sutherland Lady Sailors.

While the Coyotes trailed throughout much of the game, they managed to tie the score late in the final period at 36 after an 11-2 surge. A late layup by the Sailors' Kaley Stokey, however, was the final field goal of the game. The Sailors' added a free throw after Potter-Dix was forced to foul.

"We had a few opportunities after we tied it, but it looks like it just wasn't meant to be," said Coyotes' head coach Jeff Einspahr. "The girls really fought hard and never gave up. I'm proud of them."

The Sailors (12-11) now move onto the subdistrict finals against Dundy County-Stratton (23-0) on Thursday at 6 p.m. Dundy County eliminated Morrill (11-12) 81-52 in the earlier semifinal.

With a roster that has just one senior, Jourdan Langley, the Coyotes (11-5), look well positioned for another strong season next year.

"The girls reached so many of their goals with winning MAC and beating everybody in the conference," Einspahr said. "The girls learned a lot about themselves and we can only look forward to what they can do next year."

Sutherland took the lead early in the game and kept it until the final period. The Sailors took a 17-13 edge after eight minutes and added another five points to the margin at halftime (27-18). The Coyotes weren't able to cut into the Sailors' deficit throughout a 7-7 third frame which ended 34-25. Potter-Dix's comeback the 11-2 run to open the fourth before Stokey's bucket.

Freshman Audrey Juelfs topped the Coyotes on the score sheet with 13 points while Alexus Rozelle and Anna McLaughlin scored 10 and nine points respectively. Rozelle's strong performance included 10 rebounds, two assists and three steals. Julefs, Dawson Sharman and McLaughlin also finished with three swipes.