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Nearly 60 out for track and field at Rock Hills
The Rock Hills track and field team began practice on March 1. The team looks to field 57 athletes, 33 boys and 24 girls.
"We are very excited with the prospects of the season. Our group of athletes is very talented and very diverse which should provide for some good scoring opportunities both on the individual level and as a team," said coach Sam Meyers.
On the girls side, they return a solid group of athletes. Along with the veterans, they have made some additions in some key places. They are an experienced group who have excelled in the past and only look to improve over the course of the season, Meyers said
On the boys side, the returning members have had good success in the past on an individual level but did not begin placing high in the team points until later in the season becaused of a lack of experience and lack of participants in a variety of events. With the addition of some new athletes out and the talented younger classes, Meyers said the boys team looks to continue with solid individual performances and also threaten in the team standings as well.
"Overall, this is a talented group who have demonstrated a willingness to work hard and a desire to succeed," Meyers said. "They appear poised to continue to advance our track and field program."
Boys: Joe Bauman, Aaron Broeckelman, Bobby Brown, Clay Cosand, Robbie Dean, Cisco Fischer, Wyatt Flinn, Austin Kennedy, Dillon Mohler, Jesse Neilson, Raymond Sibley, Jordan Walter, Dalton Wilson, Levi Fleming, Cole Huncovsky, Trevor Marihugh, Gabe Pahls, Landon Reed, Alex Smith, Zach Spiegel, Blake Walter, Philip Alcorn, Travis Boyles, Anthony Burgess, Jarrett Christie, Chance Colson, Philip Klein, Sean Mohlman, Brice Ost, Miles Bauer, Damon Bohnert, Matthew Broeckelman, Caleb Hall.
Girls: Darica Bohnert, Lizzy Cox, A.J. Davis, Brennan Williams, Kendra Alcorn, Mikaela Klos, Lindsey Underwood, Chelsi Bema, Bethany Jeffery, Regan Jeffery, Ashley Lorence, Blair McMillan, Michaela Simmelink, Shelby Smith, Allison Thompson, Maddie Warne, Hillary Callaway, Amanda Fleming, Katelyn Pahls, Kasha Pate, Kayla Sholtz, Allison Warner, Breanna Webb, Sam Wunderle.
Last year's Rock Hills track team had the following state qualifiers: Mikaela Klos, Alex Smith, Blake Walter, Philip Alcorn, Travis Boyles, Jarrett Christie, Blair McMillan, Matt Broeckelman, Breanna Webb.
Placing at state in 2009 were: Girls 4x100 relay (Regan Jeffery, Maddie Warne, Amanda Fleming, Kayla Sholtz); Shelby Smith, shot put and discus; Hillary Callaway 1600/3200; Kayla Sholtz TJ/100 hurdle. Girls team finished 9th. Boys: Chance Colson, pole vault; Brice Ost, shot put.

Lady Cats lose to Hartington Cedar Catholic at state tourney
The Superior girls varsity basketball team lost to Hartington Cedar Catholic, 50-36, in the first round of the state C2 basketball tournament, played at Lincoln High School Thursday.
Senior Stacia Gebers, in her last game as a Supeior Lady Wildcat, led her team with 12 points, followed by Sarah Wood 10, Haley Gebers four, Heidi Wilt three, Sam Price three, Montana Hayes two and Kayla Klatt two. Cedar Catholic was led by Dana Dickes with 18 points and Tracy Peilz with 14.
Wood led Superior in rebounds with eight, followed by Stacia Gebers five and Montana Hayes four. Hayes and Haley Gebers were also credited with two steals and two assists each.
As a team, the Superior girls were six of 26 (23 percent) from two-point range, two of five (40 percent) from three-point range and 18 of 23 (78 percent) from the free-throw line.
Season statistics
The Superior girls finished the season with a record of 19-5, as well as conference and district championships and the first trip to the girls state tournament in 10 years. They averaged 52.13 points per game, compared to 39.75 for their opponents.
The leading scorer for the Lady Cats was Stacia Gebers, who averaged 15.04 points per game, followed by Sarah Wood 14.46 points per game, Haley Gebers 8.29 and Heidi Wilt 4.21. Stacia Gebers also led in rebounds, averaging 8.96 per game, followed by Sarah Wood 7.75, Haley Gebers 4.25 and Montana Hayes 4.21. Stacia Gebers led in steals with 2.04 per game, and Sam Price led in assists with 2.38 per game. In the blocked shots category, Sarah Wood led with 38 for the season, followed by Montana Hayes 19, Stacia Gebers 16 and Haley Gebers 10.
As a team, the Lady Cats were 411 for 935 (43.96 percent) from two-point range, 66 of 213 (30.99 percent) from three-point range, and 231 for 370 (62.43 percent) from the free-throw line. The most consistent free-throw shooters were Wood (71.43 percent), Stacia Gebers (70.59 percent) and Hayes (64.29 percent).
The Lady Cats registered wins this season over Sutton (twice), Republic County, Blue Hill, Wilber-Clatonia, Franklin, Southern Valley, Fullerton, Fillmore Central (twice), Heartland, Doniphan-Trumbull, Deshler (twice), Cross County, Tri-County, Rock Hills and David City Aquinas. The five losses were against Grand Island Central Catholic, Sandy Creek, Thayer Central, Lawrence-Nelson and Hartington Cedar Catholic.

Lady Grizzlies lose to Osborne in sub-state finals
The Rock Hills girls lost a heartbreaker to Osborne in the sub-state finals Saturday in Bennington. The game was decided in the last second with a score by Osborne to end the game 51-49.
On the road to the final game of the season for the Lady Grizzlies, they played Ell-Saline Thursday in Bennington and prevailed by the score of 49-46. Hillary Callaway had a big night with 21 points. Bethany Jeffery was in double figures with 11, followed by Amanda Fleming 5, Ali Wilson 4, Regan Jeffery and Darica Bohnert 3 each and Kayla Sholtz with 2.
"Kayla played a great game defensively in holding Ell-Saline's leading scorer 10 points under her average," said coach Rick Diamond.
The game was tight in the fourth quarter after Ell-Saline took a one point lead when Bethany Jeffery scored an old fashioned three point play, but Ell-Saline scored to even the score. Rock Hills then went on an 8-0 run and held on to get the win.
Score by quarters: Rock Hills, 10, Ell-Saline 7; 23-15; 36-31; 49-46.
"Hill (Hillary Callaway)really got us off to a good start in scoring 13 points the first half and then she scored four critical points in our fourth quarter run," Diamond said. "The girls played a good solid game and I think we surprised some people with our play. Our defense was the key against a very tough offensive team to defend."
In the championship game against Osborne the score by quarters was Rock Hills 11, Osborne 13; 22-25; 35-31; 49-51.
Rock Hills was led by Bethany Jeffery with 14 points, Hillary Callaway 11, Ali Wilson 9, Regan Jeffery and Kayla Sholtz with 6 each and Amanda Fleming 3. The girls finished with a season record of 15-8.
"The girls fought their hearts out and I was proud of the way they played. I really felt for the four seniors in getting so close to their goal of getting to state. The four ­­ Ali Wilson, Hillary Callaway, Amanda Fleming and Kayla Sholtz ­­ were just a pleasure to coach. The girls had a good season, but I know they think they should have played at least 'One More Game,'" Diamond said.
Pike Trail League picks from Rock Hills were (all league) Amanda Fleming, Hillary Callaway, Kayla Sholtz and Bethany Jeffery; and (honorable mention) Ali Wilson.

All-conference girls picks announced
The following girls basketball players have been named to the Southern Nebraska Conference (West Division) all conference teams:
First team - Jamie Vankirk and Claire Bergen, Sutton; Keri Shaw and Mikaela Shaw, Sandy Creek; Stacia Gebers, Superior.
Second team - Cody Long, Thayer Central, Ariel Lundstrom, Heartland; Whitney Brooke Cross County; Sarah Wood, Superior; Ashley Harms, Sandy Creek.
Honorable Mention - Stephanie Thompson, Cross County; Mikaelyn Dick, Heartland; Jessica Osterhaus, Sutton; Michaela Marsh, Thayer Central; Morgan Hinrichs, Sandy Creek; Haley Gebers, Superior.

Grizzlies end season with close sub-state loss to Bennington
The Rock Hills boys basketball season came to an end last Tuesday at the hands of the Bennington Bulldogs in a first round sub-state matchup in Mankato. The Bulldogs were able to hit a trey with 3.4 seconds remaining in the game for a 43-40 win.
The game was a classic matchup between Bennington's quickness and trey-oriented game and Rock Hills' slower tempo and inside game. Both teams refused to give an inch and the teams were never separated by more than four points.
Rock Hills trailed by two after one period, but forged back to take a halftime lead. Bennington regained control at 29-26 after three quarters and the game saw several lead changes in the fourth quarter.
With the game tied at 40 and a minute and a half to play, the Bulldogs froze the ball at halfcourt and the Grizzlies refused to come out of their zone. Bennington called a timeout with 12 seconds on the clock and set up their game winner, a corner trey by Chance Glavin, which saw nothing but net. The Grizzlies got a timeout with 3.4 seconds, a full court pass and catch with 3.0 seconds, and a good trey look of their own with a chance to tie, but Travis Boyles shot went in and back out as time expired.
"This was a tough 4-seed versus 5-seed opening round game," said Grizzly head coach Matt Hesting. "We were in a pretty tough sub-state, being 14-6 and seeded fourth. Bennington has a good team with some pretty quick athletes. They played a tougher schedule than us and they knew how to complete. We competed hard also and made them earn everything they got. The game was as close as I expected."
Hesting went on to say that a few too many turnovers and Bennington's ability to keep offensive rebounds alive was the deciding difference.
"Bennington had 25 more scoring opportunities than we did based on 11 fewer turnovers and 14 more offensive rebounds. We just couldn't get up quickly enough to snag their missed shots," Hesting said. "They tipped them around and kept getting the ball back. We shot a much better percentage than Bennington, but we just allowed them too many shots."
And the numbers prove that out. Rock Hills was a solid 16 of 26 from the floor, a scorching 62 percent. Bennington hit 18 of 53 field goals for only 34 percent, but second chance baskets were numerous for the Bulldogs. Rock Hills hit six of nine free throws while the Bulldogs hit only three of five.
The Grizzlies were led by Brice Ost. The 6-3 junior was nine of 12 from the floor and finished with 23 points. Riley Konen, senior swingman for the Grizzlies, finished his career with a perfect four of four night and 10 points. Joe Zadina had four points and Travis Boyles three. Zadina had seven rebounds to lead the Grizzlies and Boyles also had five assists for Rock Hills.
The Grizzlies had a fine season. They won the PTL regular season crown and took runnerup in the PTL midseason tournament. A 14-7 record for the Grizzlies saw some hard fought wins over some good teams, and all seven losses came at the hands of teams with 12 or more wins, with four of those teams still alive in sub-state play. The coaching staff says they are grateful to all the fans, supporters, parents and boosters who helped make the 2009-2010 season a fun and exciting one for the boys. They are also appreciative for the cheerleaders, scoretable helpers and administration for making the season run smoothly.

Lady Raiders lose in state tournament semifinals
The basketball season for the Lawrence-Nelson Lady Raiders came to a close Saturday with a loss to Chambers in the consolation game (for third place) in the state D2 tournament, played at Lincoln North Star High School. The loss dropped them to 18-8 for the season.
Leading the Lady Raiders in the 43-40 loss to Chambers was Kelsey Biltoft with 11 points, followed by Kristin Drudik eight, Chelsie Stemper eight, Marissa Kovanda seven, Brittany Miller four and Kassandra Fanning two. Miller led in rebounds with seven and assists with six. Biltoft had four blocked shots.
The first round of the state tournament for the Lady Raiders was a rematch Thursday with Falls City Sacred Heart, the team they beat in the district finals. The Lawrence-Nelson girls won the second contest as well, 34-21. The game was played at Lincoln High School.
Leading coach Cathy Biltoft's squad in the first round win over the Irish was Kelsey Biltoft with 12 points, followed by Brittany Miller seven, Chelsie Stemper seven, Marissa Kovanda six and Natasha Wehrman two. Biltoft and Kovanda led their team in rebounds with six boards each.
The Lady Raiders lost their second game of the tourney Friday, the semifinals played at Pershing Auditorium, to Lindsay Holy Family, 38-34. Leading the Lawrence-Nelson girls in scoring was Kelsey Biltoft 12, Marissa Kovanda nine, Lisa Pohlmeier six, Kristin Drudik three, Brittany Miller two and Chelsie Stemper two.