Rockets get win over down, out Bluejays

By Phil Cobb | January 6, 2017 |

Northeast Nodaway’s Makayla Adwell drives the lane as West Nodaway’s Paige Hagey pressures the ball as the Rockets go on to win 47-25 Friday in Burlington Junction.

With just five players to their roster, it was hard for the Northeast Nodaway Bluejays girls’ basketball team to defend against the West Nodaway Rockets Friday night in Burlington Junction. Just off a win over Union Star earlier in the week, the Rockets carried that momentum into their Friday night victory over the Bluejays, defeating them 47-25.

“When they hired me they told me the program has had a rough stretch,” West Nodaway head coach Taylor Dameron said. “These both have been conference wins too, which really makes this a good thing.”

Getting out to an early lead, West Nodaway powered its way to a 15-6 first quarter. Northeast Nodaway was the first to score, but it was three minutes between each of their basket as the Rockets ran the show.

“Almost every game we’ve played the first quarter has been bad,” Dameron said of his team. “So getting a first quarter where we score some easy buckets was huge for us.”

Kristine Ecker scored eight in West Nodaway’s 13-3 second quarter over Northeast Nodaway to boost the Rockets to a 28-9 lead at the half. She would score 12 points total to lead the team offensively.

“Kristine was our second team-leading scorer last year, and has had a rough stretch here at the end of 2016,” Dameron said. “So it was nice to see her get into it again. I think her issue is confidence. I told her this week in practice to be confident in her abilities and she responded really well to that.”

West Nodaway let off the gas a little in the second half, but didn’t lose any of their lead to the Bluejays despite the slowed pace of the game. The Rockets still outscored their gassed opponents both quarters, 8-7 and 11-9, respectively.

“The girls are playing well, and we have a tough stretch coming up here so I’m hoping we can use this as a confidence boost to move the season in the right direction.”

For West Nodaway (3-7), this two-game win streak is their first in years. Coach Dameron hopes this confidence boost will carry into the rest of their season. The upcoming week could be challenging for the Rockets, with DeKalb and Mound City next week.

At 2-8 the Bluejays are beginning to feel the woes of a short roster, something the Rockets are all too familiar with. A tough road lies ahead for them however, with Mound City and Jefferson next week.

“It’s been really hard to keep the girls up with what we’re facing,” Northeast Nodaway head coach Joyce Stiens said. “Right now we’re working on improving the little things and the fundamentals. All we can hope for from there is to see improvements individually that will come together for overall improvement as a team.”

WEST NODAWAY (3-7): POINTS (FG, FT made-att, 3PT)- Kristine Ecker 12 (6, 0-0, 0); Brittany McIntyre 11 (2, 4-8, 1); Paige Hagey 10 (5, 0-2, 0); Alissa Nelson 7 (3, 1-2, 0); McKenzie Finney 5 (2, 1-2, 0); Lexi Moore 2 (1, 0-0, 0).

NORTHEAST NODAWAY (2-8): POINTS (FG, FT made-att, 3PT)- Makayla Adwell 12 (4, 4-9, 0); Gabby Briney 6 (3, 0-0, 0); Gerry Runde 5 (1, 0-0, 1); Jana Walker 2 (1, 0-1, 0).