The Winnebago Girls had a season to remember as the Indians took 4th place in last week's State Tournament in Lincoln.
Bago started off the State Tourney by upsetting top-seeded GICC 48-46 at Pinnacle Bank Arena on Wednesday.
The Crusaders led 15-10 after one before the Indians outscored GICC 17-6 in the 2nd quarter to take a 27-21 lead into the locker room.
The Crusaders won the 3rd quarter 11-9 to make it a 36-32 game at the end of three.
GICC won the 4th quarter 14-12.
Natasha Deal led the way with 16 points while Keisha Snyder had 14 points and 7 rebounds. Maddy Cleveland added 9 points while Sylvia Valentino notched 7.
Head Coach Treivan Bear says upsetting the Crusaders was amazing. "That game was so fun. As we did in the early season, we got off to a slow start, and our run started with a 3 from Sylvia Valentino and we took off. By the end of the game, it was close again, and those are the fun games I believe. I think Keisha missed a free throw that would of put us up 3, so when GICC got that last shot off, it was only a few seconds but felt like forever, but to see it hit short, man our bench went crazy."
The Indians then took on reigning State Champion North Bend Central Friday Morning at PBA in the State Semifinals in action aired on 107.9 the Bull with the Tigers winning 60-40.
The Tigers led 21-14 at the end of one, and won the 2nd quarter 11-6 to take a 32-20 lead into the locker room.
NBC outscored Bago 14-6 in the 3rd quarter to go up 46-26 at the end of three.
Both teams scored 14 points in the 4th quarter.
Deal finished with 12 points while Snyder had 9 points and 10 rebounds.
Coach Bear says losing that game was tough, but what his team did was about so much more than just that game and is something they'll remember for as long as they live. "Absolutely, towards the end of the North Bend game, when I subbed out my starters, you could see the tears about to start flowing, I sat them down, and said "I know it sucks, we're not going to complete our goal of winning it all, but hey we made history! And no matter what, we're taking some hardware home with us. Let it out, but cheer on your teammates that cheered you on all year, and when the game is over, wave to the other team and the vans." So these kids, and our community will remember this historic run for years to come. The girls have already inspired so many of the young lady hoopers here in our community and its only going to help steer this program in the direction that we have planned for it."
Winnebago fell 64-25 to Lincoln Lutheran in Saturday's 3rd place game at Lincoln Northeast.
The Warriors led 16-10 after one, and outscored the Indians 17-2 in the 2nd quarter to take a 33-12 lead into the locker room.
Lincoln Lutheran outscored Bago 17-9 in the 3rd quarter to go up 50-21 at the end of three.
The Warriors outscored the Indians 14-4 in the 4th quarter.
Snyder led the way with 12 points and 11 rebounds, good enough for a double-double.
Winnebago ends their amazing year and state run at 16-12.
Snyder led the team in scoring this year as she averaged 18 points a game while Deal and Cleveland each averaged 10.
Snyder also led the team in rebounds with 337 while Deal had 143, Cleveland 107, and Sinya Harlan 103.
The Indians say goodbye to Harlan, Deal, Mackenzie Decora, Cleveland, and Snyder.
This was a very talented Senior Class that did a lot for and meant a lot to Winnebago Girls Basketball.
Coach Bear says things have come a long ways since he first took over the program and the Seniors will be sorely missed. "Man, I'm so glad we made this run with this group of seniors. Nobody deserved it more. Natash, Keisha, Maddy, and Sinya have all been with me since day 1. Quick story, day 1 of my first year, we had conditioning and the team walks in, this year seniors were sophomores, but when they walked in Maddy said "Are you our coach? Aren't you a football coach." Lol throwing jabs at me already. But after the Malcolm game, I put that story in our chat, and I said "Well Maddy, not bad for a football coach huh?" And we laughed. We've had our tough moments, I'm sure every coach and their players do, but we always wanted the same outcome and that was to win. Their competitiveness and drive, will transfer over to whatever they choose to do next in their lives. I'm definitely going to miss them. Not only on the court, but at practice, throughout the day here at the school, and them just being around. They're great kids. It's been an honor to coach them and see them grow."
Great stuff, and once again congratulations to Winnebago, their Seniors, Coach Bear, and everyone else associated with the Winnebago Girls Basketball Program for this magnificent run.
I look for the Indians to continue to compete at a high level for years to come.
I feel like there are a number of players returning who are unproven that could make an impact.
Key returners include Valentino, Ciarra Frenchman, Kelsi Decora, and Lakaylah Kearnes.
Coach Bear adds as great as this year's run was, there's more than can be accomplished in the future. "I made a facebook post about this, I'll try to sum it up, I said something like we are proud we made history, we had fun making our run, but, and in the world of competitive sports there's always a "but" because there is always room for improvement. Now the pressure is going to be put on our team to make it to state again, and I believe that's how great programs start. I have a very competitive group of girls returning next year and I think it's going to be the start of something big here for the Winnebago Lady Indians."
I think one thing is for certain....this year's Senior Class laid a foundation for future Winnebago teams to follow and established a winning culture, and put Winnebago Girls Basketball on the map.
I look for next year's team to keep things going for Winnebago Girls Basketball.
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