Wolff leads Coyotes to first round win

Almost everyone expected the Coyotes to cruise over 2-11 Banner County in the MAC opener at Potter-Dix on Tuesday. The 46-29 outcome might even suggest it was the anticipated cakewalk.

But the game was riddled with moments of doubt for the host side.

Led by Taylor Evans and her 11 point second half, the surprising Wildcats closed to within 8 points, 35-27, in the early going of the fourth quarter. The rally came at the 7:14 mark. As the clock ticked down to four minutes remaining, however, the scoreboard told a different tale-a whopping 19-point advantage for the Coyotes.

The 11-0 run was crafted largely by senior Morgan Wolff, the game's high scorer at 16 points, 8 of which came during the fourth quarter outburst.

"It's easier to play relaxed when you know you have to do something," Wolff said, shrugging off her exploits, which included 6 steals, 3 assists and 3 rebounds.

Banner County's Evans opened the final period with a put back and followed by sinking two from the line to bring the visitors within striking distance.

The Coyotes' counterattack began when Wolff grabbed a rebound under the offensive board and rolled it back in-literally. The ball traveled around the rim three times before falling through.

"I thought it went in a long time ago," Wolff reported. She had already turned to her defensive chores when she looked back to see the ball still lollygagging on the metal.

On Potter-Dix's next possession, Alexus Rozelle picked out Wolff with a skip pass. The senior drove in for a layup. She was back on the case a minute later, stealing the ball and racing to the net for an easy deuce. The Coyotes then executed a clever backdoor play, Taylor Juelfs hitting Wolff on the baseline, Wolff banging it off the glass and in.

"If I'm not hitting I look for teammates who are open," Juelfs-usually the Coyotes go-to scorer. "I knew Morgan was on tonight."

Wolff converted on 8 of 12 from the floor.

Juelfs hit a free throw to sustain the run. It was capped by a put back from Cortney Lewis.

The Coyotes concentrated on defense over the last few minutes, running out the clock to secure their win.

Perhaps the first quarter gave an indication of the battle to come. Banner County won the tip and senior guard Amanda Harrison corralled the ball and took it straight to the net. Evans, who tallied 11 points on the night, made it a 4-0 game moments later.

Almost four minutes elapsed before the Coyotes found their way to the scoreboard on a Dawson Sharman jumper.

Her short loft kick started the offense, igniting a 9-0 run to which Wolff, Rozelle and Juelfs contributed, the latter with a three pointer.

The run gave Potter-Dix a 9-4 lead. But the feisty Wildcats responded, Paige Cross and Dalle Rutledge slashing the advantage to a slim 9-8 at the end of one.

"We just had some trouble in the beginning," Rozelle said.

Rozelle, the freshman sensation, pounded in two quick shots to open the second quarter. Wolff forced her way through a crowd of blue jerseys to sink a finger roll. Juelfs converted in the paint and-moments earlier-hit a free throw. Lanie Moench and Juelfs completed what was a 12-3 response to those first period troubles.

Rozelle dominated underneath, grabbing 17 boards.

"We've improved a lot over the year," Sharman observed, referring to the squad's ability to fight back. "It's a big deal."

Tuesday night marked only the second time the 6-5 Coyotes have won at home. They did so with assistant coach Lance Juelfs at the helm, as Jeff Einspahr was out with a cold. Boys head coach Chad Miller filled the assistant's chair.

Potter-Dix heads to Sidney to face Garden County on Thursday in the conference tournament's second round.

Girls Basketball

Potter-Dix 46

Banner Co. 29