Lady Wolfpack Fall by One in Sub-District Heartbreaker
Launch the media gallery 1 playerLady Wolfpack Fall by One in Sub-District Heartbreaker
The Tri County Northeast Wolfpack saw their postseason run come to a heartbreaking end Monday night, February 16, as they dropped a 55–54 decision to the Hartington-Newcastle Wildcats in a tightly contested sub-district girls’ basketball matchup. This was the second time this season that the Lady Pack dropped a game to the Wildcats by a single point.
In a game that featured multiple lead changes and strong defensive play on both sides, the Lady Wolfpack battled until the final seconds but came up just short in the one-point loss.
Junior Briley Anderson led TCNE with a strong all-around performance, pouring in 30 points on 14-of-24 shooting while also pulling down 14 rebounds. Anderson controlled the paint on both ends and kept the Wolfpack within striking distance throughout the night.
Joslyn Mackling added seven points and knocked down a three-pointer, while also contributing three rebounds and three assists. Maddie Franzluebbers chipped in nine points and five rebounds, providing a spark inside. Sam Rastede scored four points and grabbed six rebounds, and Aubrey Mitchell finished with four points and five boards.
As a team, TCNE shot 41 percent from the field, connecting on 23 of 56 attempts. The Wolfpack relied heavily on their inside game, finishing 22-of-46 on two-point shots, while also converting 7-of-14 from the free-throw line. Rebounding proved to be a strength, as TCNE collected 33 total boards and limited second-chance opportunities.
Defensively, the Lady Wolfpack forced 19 turnovers and recorded five steals and three blocked shots, helping keep the game close down the stretch. However, a late score by the Wildcats proved to be the difference in the final minute.
Despite the loss, TCNE showed resilience and determination in a hard-fought postseason contest, matching the Wildcats point for point in a game that could have gone either way.
The Lady Wolfpack close their season with a 5-18 record that does not reflect a strong showing in sub-district play, highlighted by balanced contributions, tough defense, and standout leadership from their juniors. The narrow defeat marked a bittersweet ending to a season filled with growth and competitive effort.