Perkins County girls season ended by Bayard

by Diane Stamm

Grant tribune-sentinel

For the second time in a week, the Perkins County girls basketball lost to Bayard (17-5). Last week’s loss to the Tigers, however, ended Perkins County’s season with an 11-10 record.

Good long range shooting kept the Plainsmen in the game during the first quarter. Kailee Potts made two 3s, and scored eight points, and Libby Cole and Carlie Homan also rattled in three pointers in the first quarter. Baskets by Maggie Fisher and Jacqueline Gloy kept PCS withing four points of Bayard, 18-22, a the end of the first quarter.

Plainsmen Head Coach Deanne Bishop said Bayard was tall and tough. 

“Our girls started out the game on a great note and hit early shots, but a cold-shooting stretch in the second quarter widened the gap. Bayard capitalized on their height for rebounds and assists,” she added.

Homan scored all seven of Perkins County’s second quarter point. The Tigers took advantage of the Plainsmen’s cold spell to leave PCS trailing 25-35 at halftime.

A three pointer by Cole was Perkins County’s only field goal of the third quarter. Homan and Fisher each went 2-2 from the charity stripe.

Homan and Hannah Bishop hit the Plainsmen’s two fourth quarter field goals. PCS also made 4-7 free throws in the game’s final eight minutes.

Homan led Perkins County with 14 points in the 40-54 loss. Potts scored 10 points. 

Bishop was pleased with her team’s defensive effort.

“Defensively, we did a good job of holding our ground and took 3 charges.  We also forced Bayard to commit 21 turnovers,” she said, adding PCS held Bayard’s leading scorer to just 4 points, but their 6’1” and 6’1”posts in the paint picked up the slack. 

“This was a tough draw for the first round of subs, but the girls should be very pleased by their efforts this season,” Bishop said.

Bayard finished the season 14th in the point standings, but wasn’t able to earn a wildcard after a loss to subdistrict No. 1 Gordon-Rushville.