The #2 seeded Stanton Mustangs faced the #7 seeded Burwell Longhorns in the first round of the girls Class C-2 state girls basketball tournament at Lincoln North Star on Thursday, March 1st.
The Mustangs dominated the first half, leading 15-8 at the end of the first quarter and 27-14 at the intermission.
Blake Mann had a big third quarter for Burwell, scoring 12 points herself, while the Longhorns outscored Stanton 16-7 in the frame. The Mustangs still held a 34-30 lead after three.
Burwell won the fourth quarter as well, outscoring Stanton 15-13, and hit a three pointer with 3.5 seconds left, but Stanton was able to hang on for the 47-45 win.
Hannah Heppner had 15 points and 8 rebounds to lead Stanton, while Bree Burtwistle added 14 points, and Liz Christensen chipped in 8.
In the State Semifinals on Friday at the Bob Devaney Sports Center, the Mustangs fell 47-44 to Superior.
Stanton led 17-11 after one, and 24-17 at halftime after winning the 2nd quarter 7-6.
The Wildcats won the 3rd quarter 13-11 to make it a 35-30 game at the end of three.
Superior outscored the Mustangs 17-9 in the 4th quarter to complete the comeback.
Jaiden Hartl paced Stanton with 14 points while Christensen registered 12. Heppner totaled 11 points and 10 rebounds, good enough for a double-double.
Stanton lost Saturday's 3rd place game at Lincoln East to Hastings St. Cecilia, 47-44.
The Mustangs led 10-9 at the end of one before the Hawkettes outscored Stanton 20-7 in the 2nd quarter to take a 29-17 lead into the locker room.
The Mustangs outscored St. Cecilia 16-7 in the 3rd quarter to make it a 36-33 game at the end of three in favor of the Hawkettes.
Both teams scored 11 points in the 4th quarter.
Burtwhistle led the way with 14 points while Heppner recorded 12 points and 10 rebounds to notch another double-double. Jessie Brandl chipped in 7 points.
Tough way for Stanton to end the season, especially losing the way they did in the semifinals.
Knowing you were so close to making it to the State Championship and being that close to playing at Pinnacle Bank Arena has to really sting.
The Mustangs wrap up the year at 24-5.
It was a very memorable season for Stanton, who picked up big wins over Howells-Dodge (twice), West Point-Beemer, North Bend Central, Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family, West Holt, Hartington-Newcastle, BRLD (twice), Clarkson/Leigh (twice), and Twin River. You can't forget the state win over Burwell either.
Plenty of big wins for the Mustangs this season, and a lot for Stanton to be proud of.
Heppner finished as the team's leading scorer and rebounder at 11 points and 9 rebounds per game on the season. Brandl was 2nd on the team in those categories at 10 points and 5 rebounds a game.
Burtwhistle averaged 9 points a game this year while Hartl averaged 8 and Christensen 7.
The Mustangs part ways with Heppner, Allie Spence, and Tenna Beel.
All three of these girls were big contributors for Stanton, and deserve to be recognized for all their tremendous accomplishments as members of the Mustang Girls Basketball Program.
Key returners include Brandl, Burtwhistle, Hartl, and Christensen.
These four should do a lot and be great for Stanton next year.
Next season is the Mustangs' chance to do something really great and big, in my opinion.
Oakland-Craig figures to be great too, but Stanton will be a tough team to be reckoned with in C-2 next season as well.
The Mustangs should be great in both volleyball and basketball once again next season.
Stanton has to dream big, and dream of winning a state championship next season.
The Mustangs have to visualize what it would be like to play on Championship Saturday at Pinnacle Bank Arena, and go out there and make their dreams come true.
Stanton has to get to work this offseason, and condition themselves as much as possible so they have the final say in the 4th quarter of the biggest game of the season next year.
That's not to say the Mustangs were wore out at the end of the Superior game, but Stanton let one get away, that's for sure.
I'm sure the Mustangs will have plenty of motivation for next year given how the Superior game ended this year.
I'm willing to bet that's a game Stanton won't soon forget, and will use as fuel and motivation for next season.
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