The West Point-Beemer girls basketball team overcame Fort Calhoun during the fourth quarter of Tuesday's game.
Leading 43-40 after three periods, the Pioneers were outscored 23-11 during the last 8 minutes and lost, 63-54. The loss dropped their season record to 6-4 overall.
West Point took its first lead of the fourth with a 3-point make at 45-43. FCHS responded to multiple two-point deficits across the next 4 minutes — including when Bria Bench evened the score at 49-all — but another long-range make at 52-49 put the Cadets up for good.
Bench — who finished with a team-best 21 points — scored twice more during the final quarter, but Calhoun dropped the road game by nine points. Coach Marty Plum's team was set to play Thursday against Logan View, but next competes Saturday at Wisner-Pilger.
FCHS splits Blowout games
FCHS started the Blizzard Blowout Holiday Tournament with a loss, but bounced back Saturday with a 51-23 rout against Sandy Creek — it's host.
“Much better effort today,” Plum said. “Good job by the kinds adjusting and learning.”
The 28-point win was FCHS' sixth overall this season, while the home team dropped to 1-8 in defeat. The road squad led 9-4 after one quarter and held Sandy Creek without a point during the second.
The Pioneers, however, lost their first game of the Blizzard Blowout on Dec. 29 despite Ansley Elofson's 14 points. The freshman scored eight first-period points as FCHS built an 11-8 lead, but Howells-Dodge of Class D2 ultimately earned the victory, 51-43.
Coach Plum's squad led the Jaguars 29-28 after three quarters, but was outscored 23-14 during the fourth. The victors were 16-for-18 from the foul line during the final 8 minutes with Jade Bayer shooting 9-for-10 with the game on the line.
In addition to Elofson's output, Raeann Massey scored nine FCHS points. Maelie Nelson notched eight, too, while Bria Bench had six.
FCHS GIRLS HOOPS LINE SCORES
Tuesday
West Point-Beemer 63, Fort Calhoun 54
FCHS (6-4) 14 21 8 11 — 54
WPB (5-6) 16 15 9 23 — 63
Scoring: FCHS — Bria Bench 21, Maelie Nelson 12, Raeann Massey 10, Jovi Grenier 7, Ansley Elofson 4.
WPB — Campbell Snodgrass 20, Allie Kaup 14, Mia Hunke 9, Nevaeh Weborg 8, Olivia Gross 3, Addison Toelle 3, Meg Anderson 1.
Saturday
Fort Calhoun 51, Sandy Creek 23
FCHS (6-3) 9 10 16 16 — 51
SD (1-8) 4 0 9 10 — 23
Scoring: FCHS — Bench 14, Elofson 13, Massey 6, Nelson 6, Grenier 5, Izzy Greenough 3, Maddy Tinkham 3, Ari Nelson 2, Kaylee Taylor 2.
SD — Emma Fisher 8, Ryleigh Skalka 4, Katelyn Phlmeier 4, Sophie Dane 3, Paige Biltoft 2, Madalyn Andersen 2, Ella Martin 1.
Dec. 29
Howells-Dodge 51, Fort Calhoun 43
FCHS (5-3) 11 5 13 14 — 43
H-D (5-4) 8 9 11 23 — 51
Scoring: FCHS — Elofson 14, Massey 9, M.Nelson 8, Bench 6, Ella Bouwman 2, Greenough 2, Grenier 2.
H-D — Jade Bayer 16, Jordyn Ratzlaff 11, Peyten Becker 9, Kenadie Throener 7, Taylor Steffensmeier 3, Kylie Brichacek 3, Natalie Pieper 2.
