Pender Girls defeat Randolph, lose to Emerson-Hubbard in Sub Districts

The Pender Girls won 57-36 over Randolph last Tuesday night in the D1-5 Sub District at Ponca before losing the Sub District final to Emerson-Hubbard 57-42 Thursday night.

The Pendragons led the Cardinals 15-10 at the end of one. Pender outscored Randolph 12-5 in the second quarter to take a 27-15 lead into the locker room.

The Pendragons won the second half 30-21.

Hallie Ballinger finished with 15 points while Justice Sorenson totaled 14 points and 9 rebounds. Kam Anderson notched 12 points while Cecilee Jacobsen registered 7 rebounds.

The Pirates led Pender 14-6 at the end of one. Both teams scored 17 second quarter points, and the halftime score was 31-23 in favor of Emerson-Hubbard.

The Pendragons won the third quarter 13-8 to make it a 39-36 game at the end of three.

The Pirates tripled up Pender 18-6 in the fourth quarter.

Sorenson led the way with 17 points and 9 rebounds while Amber English totaled 11 points.

It was definitely a bitter defeat for the Pendragons. I'm sure Pender feels they could have played a much better fourth quarter against Emerson-Hubbard.

Pender ends the season with a 13-12 record.

The Pendragons lost just one senior in Sorenson.

She is a significant loss, but the Pendragons return loads of talent on what will most likely be a senior laden team next season.

Back for Pender next year is English, Jacobsen, Makrae Kelly, Rylee Lehmkuhl, Anderson, and Ballinger, among others.

Every player listed will be a senior except for Lehmkuhl, who will be a sophomore.

Next season has a chance to be special for the Pendragons, but they have to work their butts off in the offseason.

Pender picked up some big wins this season, including wins over Tekamah-Herman, Hartington Cedar Catholic, Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family, Lyons-Decatur Northeast, and Randolph.

The Pendragons certainly did some nice things this year, and should do even better things a year from now.

I would say it's very possible that Pender makes state a year from now. It appears the Pendragons will have the horses to do so.

It will be interesting to see what becomes of the talk that Emerson-Hubbard and Pender are going to co-op.

I haven't heard for sure when and if that will happen, but it will be interesting to see if anything happens with that.