Leyton girls capture subdistrict title

In an aggressive game marked by fouls and turnovers, the Leyton High Lady Warriors edged South Platte, 40-37, on Thursday at the Cabela's Athletic Facility in Sidney.

The D2-11 subdistrict tournament victory means the Lady Warriors (11-11) have only one game standing between them a state tournament berth, which would be the first for the school in more than a decade.

"It was a hard-fought battle," Leyton head coach Nick Newkirk said. "We knew going into it we had the chance to win and move on and that [South Platte] was going to give it their best and we were going to compete."

A tenacious Warrior full-court press thwarted the Knights' (3-15) offense throughout the game, forcing numerous passes that were picked off. The Warriors, though, had missed opportunities due to traveling infractions.

In the second period, the Knights narrowed the deficit to two before baskets from Leyton sophomore Abbe Draper helped the Warriors reestablish their dominance. The first half ended 26-17 in Leyton's favor.

After maintaining a 10-point lead in the third quarter, foul trouble for the Warriors meant South Platte began the final period in bonus. Leyton's first points in the period came with 1:06 remaining in the game – following a 5-0 Knight run – on two free throws from Jessica Houk, making the score 38-33.

Six seconds later, South Platte sophomore Shelby Richards scored two free throws of her own. A short jump shot from teammate Mikinzi Nilsen with 10 seconds on the clock left Leyton holding just a one-point lead.

After a Warrior timeout, Leyton junior Natalie Cruise inbounded the ball to Houk, who scored a jump shot – giving her team a three-point advantage with two seconds remaining.

Both teams called subsequent timeouts, but when play resumed and the clock expired, South Platte was unable to score.

"I expected a competitive ball game," Newkirk said. "It was kind of tight at the end – a couple baskets went in late and they were huge."

Draper said the game was the best the team played all season.

"We came into it with our heads high, and we knew we had good competition and it was going to turn out good in the end," she said.

As a second-year coach, Newkirk said the game was exciting.

"It just feels really good to get this win for the community and the girls," he explained.

Looking ahead to next week's district championship game against Crawford, Draper said the Warriors would be ready.

"I feel like we could win," she added. "We have the potential, we have the team, we have the athleticism. We're just going to have to play our hardest and see where we get."

Leyton and Crawford (20-3) will square off Friday, Feb. 27 at 6:30 p.m. at Alliance High School.

THURSDAY'S BOX

Leyton 40, South Platte 37

South Platte 7 10 10 10 – 37

Leyton 16 10 10 4 – 40

SOUTH PLATTE (37) – Audrey Dickmander 16, Shelby Richards 7, Tiffany Hill 6, Abbie Schneider 5, Bethany Spencer 3.

LEYTON (40) – Abbe Draper 12, Shaela Jenkins 7, Jessica Houk 6, Diedra Waite 5, Dani McKay 5, Natalie Cruise 3, Taylor Berner 2.