Wauneta-Palisade boys’ basketball Coach Dave Kuhlen has been asking his team for better starts to contests. Kuhlen got his wish in WP’s first round RPAC game.

RPAC first round

The Broncos opened the tournament against sixth-seeded Hitchcock County. Before the Falcons could even take off, WP put 15 points on the board and then closed out the first quarter with a 9-3 run. Kuhlen subbed frequently in the 68-41 win.

Greg Gaston scored 28 points for WP, including four three-pointers. Overall the Broncos made eight treys in the game. Duncan Rector scored 13 points.  Brody Nordhausen finished with 10 rebounds. Gaston had four assists and three steals. Cash Yearous, Rector and Dennis Cavanaugh each had three assists.

The win advanced WP into the second round winners’ bracket to face second seed Dundy County-Stratton (14-2) Tuesday evening in Paxton.  DCS sits at fourth in the Omaha World-Herald Class D1 poll and fifth by the Lincoln Journal Star. 

Regardless of Tuesday’s outcome, WP will host games Friday. The Broncos will play either Paxton or Wallace at either 5 p.m. MT/6 p.m. CT or 6:45 p.m. MT/7:45 p.m. CT.

Begin week versus Hyannis

The Broncos’ busy week began Tuesday, Jan. 17, in a makeup game against Hyannis (4-11). Behind eight points by Rector and seven from Gaston, WP jumped out to a 19-7 lead in the first quarter.

Rector continued to have a hot hand from the field, adding eight more points in the second quarter. Yearous chipped in seven points and WP led 42-20 at halftime.

WP continued to pull ahead in the second half. Gaston added 11 points in the third quarter and led all scored with 18 points in the 77-36 victory. Twelve players saw action in the win. Gaston led WP with eight assists. Rector and Yearous also finished in double figures with 16 and 12 points, respectively. Nordhausen grabbed 10 rebounds. Harchelroad led the Broncos with five steals.

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