A season that ends at the State Tournament is a good and successful season.
And that’s what happened to the Scottsbluff girls basketball team on Thursday night as they fell to No. 2 seed Elkhorn North, 63-44 in their opening round game of the Class B Tournament at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln.
Scottsbluff had two double digit scorers as seniors Paige Horne and Allie Darnell scored 10 points apiece, while sophomore Ava Reed and senior Marly Laucomer went for nine and eight respectively.
Husker recruit Britt Prince went for 33 to lead the Wolves while Colorado State recruit McKenna Murphy scored 20 points in the win.
Scottsbluff got off to a roaring start in this one, knocking down three three point baskets in the first quarter with the scored tied 13-13 at the end of one.
The second quarter started with Scottsbluff scoring eight of the first nine points as they took a 21-14 lead on the Wolves, who are looking for a fourth consecutive state championship. But at that point Elkhorn North kicked things into high gear.
The Wolves closed out the first half on a 14-0 run to lead at halftime, 28-21.
Scottsbluff would never threaten in the second half but on this night they showed well for themselves; Came out aggressive, knocked down a few threes and pushed the Wolves for the first quarter and a half. I charted Scottsbluff with only seven turnovers.
Prince scored 13 of her 33 in the third quarter and finished the night 8 of 9 at the line with three made three point field goals.
Elkhorn North made 17 of their 18 free throw attempts while Scottsbluff was just 8-13.
Scottsbluff finishes their season at 16-10 as a District Champion and state tourney qualifier.
