.jpg)
WYNOT — It wasn’t always pretty, but it was enough.
The Wynot Lady Blue Devils punched their ticket back to Lincoln Friday night, surviving a late rally from McCool Junction to secure a 39-36 district championship win.
Wynot struggled offensively for much of the first half, but timely 3-point shooting and just enough free throws down the stretch proved to be the difference for the Lady Devils.
Addison Sharpe led the Blue Devils with 17 points, knocking down five 3-pointers to spark the offense. McCool Junction’s Natalie Clark took game-high honors with 18 points to pace the Lady Mustangs.
Defense — and cold shooting — dominated the opening quarter. Leah Dawson scored the lone field goal for McCool Junction, while Kenna Oligmueller scored inside and Taylor Pinkelman added an offensive putback to give Wynot a 4-3 lead after one.
Both teams found a bit more rhythm in the second quarter. Clark scored six points and Haley Stutzman connected from beyond the arc for the Mustangs. Wynot countered with two 3-pointers from Sharpe and a basket by McKenzie Foxhoven to take a slim 14-12 lead into halftime.
The Blue Devils created some separation in the third quarter, outscoring McCool Junction 14-10.
Sharpe stayed hot from long range, hitting three more shots from behind the arc. Tiara Sudbeck and Jordan Foxhoven added baskets as Wynot built a 2820 advantage entering the final period. Clark continued to carry the Mustangs with six more points in the quarter and Dawson added a short jumper.
McCool Junction made its push in the fourth. Clark and Claire Brugger each hit 3-pointers, while Piper Epp and Stutzman added baskets to fuel the comeback. Haley Wieseler answered with a key 3-pointer for Wynot.
The game tightened in the final minutes. Clark banked in a 3-pointer to cut the lead to one, and the Mustangs began fouling to extend the game. Wynot struggled at the free-throw line, converting just 6-of-15 attempts in the fourth quarter, but it was enough to hold off the rally.
When the final buzzer finallly sounded on the contest, the Lady Blue Devils had fought their way back into the State Tournament with the hardfought 39-36 victory.
Wynot will face a very familiar postseason foe when they get to State as they tip off against the Falls City Sacred Heart Irish at 7:45 p.m. Wednesday at the Bob Devaney Sports Center.
The Irish defeated Wynot in last year’s District championship game to break the Lady Devils string of six straight trips to State.
From 2012 through 2024, Wynot and Falls City Sacred Heart have met 10 times at the State Tournament. That’s an extraordinary number for two programs at this level.
McCool Junction 3 9 10 13 — 36 Wynot 4 10 14 10 — 39 FG 3PT FT REB Wynot 6 6 7-17 27 McCool Jct. 9 3 8-13 25
SCORING
McCool Junction — Natalie Clark 18, Leah Dawson 6, Claire Brugger 5, Haley Stutzman 5, Piper Epp 2. Wynot — Addison Sharpe 17, Haley Wieseler 5, Jordan Foxhoven 5, McKenzie Foxhoven 3, Jaylin Geisen 2, Taylor Pinkelman 2, Tiara Sudbeck 2.
