Though the Wauneta-Palisade girls’ basketball team has struggled to find the bottom of the basket lately, WP Head Coach Matt Cox is optimistic better shooting days lie ahead.
    WP opened its weekend of basketball with a loss to undefeated South Platte Friday.
    It “just came down to shooting,” Cox said. “They were much, much better than us scoring the ball.”
    Zoey Boos made WP’s only first-half field goals. The Broncos added nine points on 15 free throw attempts. WP trailed
    WP trailed 15-29 at halftime and continued to struggle from the field in the second half.
    Dakota Ingold and Destany Simpson each made a basket in the third quarter, but WP’s offense continued to come from the charity stripe. The Broncos made 10 free throws in 12 attempts.
    Gooden made WP’s two baskets in the fourth quarter. The Broncos made 3-4 free throws to wrap up the 36-65 loss.
    Gooden led WP with 12 points, including making 8-10 free throws, Ingold scored nine, shooting 7-10 at the charity stripe. Zoey Boos had five steals and Ingold four.
    Cox said WP stayed aggressive on offense and attacked the lane, leading to 33 free throw attempts.
    “We were way more aggressive in our offensive attack, and we forced a ton of turnovers,” Cox said, but WP only made 5-36 in the paint and 2-12 outside the paint.
    “I promise, that won’t last forever,” Cox said. “This group never gives up, stays in blitz, attack mode all the time. It’ll translate to wins eventually!”
    Unfortunately, a win didn’t come the next night at home against 4-2 Hyannis.

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