The Wauneta-Palisade Lady Broncos headed to Lincoln hoping for a three-day stay. But hot shooting by Hyannis cut WP’s dreams short Thursday morning at Lincoln North Star.
    WP got off to a good start, scoring the games first four points. Faith Simpson scored on WP’s first possession and Monique Gooden scored on a put back a couple plays later. Hyannis bounced back, however, answering a Destiny Beacham baskets and tying the game at six. The score was knotted at eight at the end of the first quarter after a Simpson steal and layup.
    Natalie Ramirez responded to a Hyannis basket, but the Longhorns took off on an eight-point run thanks in part to offensive rebounds leading to baskets. After another Simpson layup, WP was outscored 2-9 to wrap up the half. The Broncos only points came on Ramirez free throws.
    “Our first half, we played very well, but were 0-10 from the three point line and on top of that missed some easy, open shots in the lane,” WP Head Coach Matt Cox said. “But despite the bad shooting, it was only a 13-point game at half, and I told the girls in the locker room at halftime, our defense was as good as I’ve seen them play, and we had rebounded pretty well up until that point.”
    Cox added that anytime you play a great basketball team, you’ve got to be able to exchange blows at some point in time.
    “We could never get going offensively,” he said.
    The teams traded baskets early in the third quarter with Simpson and Gooden making field goals.
    Despite baskets by Simpson and Beacham Hyannis continued to pull ahead. By the end of the third quarter WP trailed 24-46.
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