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HARTINGTON — When tourna - ment basketball arrives, team depth matters.
But in pressure moments — late in the fourth quarter, in a tie game, and with the season on the line — it’s usually the stars who decide it.
This year’s Class D2 State girls basketball field is stacked with high-level individual talent. From dominant interior players to explo -
sive perimeter scorers and defen - sive playmakers, nearly every team brings a go-to competitor capable of taking over a game.
Here’s a look at the top com - petitors who could shape how this tournament unfolds.
At the top of the list is Dundy County-Stratton standout Abi Spargo.
The sophomore has produced eye-popping numbers with 478 points and 235 rebounds, while also contributing 61 assists, 26 blocks and 137 steals. She impacts every possession — scoring, rebounding, defending and pushing tempo. As the engine of the top seed, Spargo may be the most complete player in the field.
Sumner-Eddyville-Miller senior Taryn Arbuthnot isn’t far behind.
Arbuthnot has poured in 479 points and grabbed 273 rebounds this season, making her one of the most productive players in the bracket.
She also adds 60 assists and 68 steals. If S-E-M makes a run from the lower half of the bracket, it will likely be because Arbuthnot takes control of games oensively and on the glass.
Red Cloud’s Aiva Rust brings explosive guard play to the tourna - ment. Rust has scored 406 points while adding 147 rebounds and 91 steals. Her ability to create oense o turnovers makes Red Cloud dangerous in transition. When the Warriors speed up the game, Rust is often the catalyst.
Wynot counters with senior post Kenna Oligmueller, who anchors the Blue Devils with 355 points and 184 rebounds.
Oligmueller also has 38 blocks and 91 steals — rare defensive pro - duction for a post player. Her ability to control the paint gives Wynot a foundation built for tournament play.
Dundy County-Stratton's Clara Spargo adds another layer of star power to the top seed. The senior has scored 337 points and dished out 76 assists while contributing 62 steals. In tight games, her experi ence and decision-making could prove vital.
Silver Creek features one of the strongest inside-out combinations in the bracket. Makenna Karr has to - taled 327 points and 208 rebounds, while teammate Sophie Schmidt adds 321 points and 107 steals. That combination of scoring and defen - sive pressure makes Silver Creek a dangerous matchup.
Falls City Sacred Heart’s bal - anced attack is led by Avery Santo and Daycee Witt. Santo has 309 points on the season, while Witt adds 241 points and 112 assists. Their ability to score and distribute keeps the Irish dicult to defend.
The common thread among the tournament’s top competitors is versatility. Nearly all of them score, rebound and defend at high levels. Many also serve as their team’s primary ball-handler or emotional leader.
As the tournament tips o, matchups between these stars could determine who advances and who goes home.
