Wynot boys hand Wallace a 15-point setback

GRAND ISLAND — The Wynot Blue Devils got off to a good start, and never looked back on their way to a 55-40 District championship game win over Wallace here Monday night.

The Blue Devils used a stingy defense and a scoring run in the second quarter and then made that lead stand up the rest of the way.

The 15-point victory sends the Wynot boys to next week’s State Tournament. This marks the first time since 2017 that both the Wynot boys and girls basketball teams have advanced to State.

Wynot’s last appearance at State was in 2018 when they dropped a 54-48 first-round decision to Riverside.

It was punch counter punch in the first quarter. Wallace got five points each from Tanner Finley and Koton Hager. Wynot countered with four points inside by Garrett Lange and three pointers by Dylan Heine and Colin Wieseler as the Blue Devils clung to an early 12-10 lead.

In the second quarter the Wildcats got 3-pointers from Camden McConnell and Koton Hager to earn an 18-17 lead. Wynot rallied for a big run to end the half and take a 28-18 lead.

In the third quarter defense was the name of game. Wallace got five points each from Tanner Finley and Kyler Flaming. Wynot got three pointers from Owen Sudbeck and Dylan Heine and baskets by Anthony Haberman and Jack Kuchta to hold a 40-28 lead going into the final period.

In the fourth quarter Wallace tried to rally behind three pointers by Camden McConnell and Alec Mesersmith. Also the Wildcats went to a full-court press but the Blue Devil guards were able to handle it and got some easy transition buckets. Garrett Lange was a force inside dumping in nine more points as the Blue Devils pulled away for the 55-40 win. Garrett Lange paced the Blue Devil effort with 17 points. Anthony Haberman was also a force, hitting for eight points and pulling down a team-high nine rebounds.

Wynot’s defense gave Wallace fits all night long. The southwest Nebraska team was only able to connect on 7-32 field goal shots in the contest.

Wynot 12 16 12 15 - 55

Wallace 10 8 10 12 - 40

SCORING Wynot - Garrett Lange, 17;Anthony Haberman, 8; Charlie Schroeder, 8; Dylan Heine, 6; Peyton Wieseler, 4; Owen Sudbeck, 3; Colin Wieseler, 3; Zack Foxhoven, 2; Jack Kuchta, 2. -

REBOUNDS Wynot - Anthony Haberman, 9; Charlie Schroeder, 5; Garrett Lange, 4; Peyton Wieseler, 3; Trystan Heimes, 2; Dylan Heine, 1; Owen Sudbeck, 1.

ASSISTS Wynot - Charlie Schroeder, 3; Anthony Haberman, 2; Trystan Heimes, 1; Dylan Heine, 1; Colin Wieseler, 1.

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