YATES CENTER — Yates Center High’s girls didn’t prove very gracious hosts Tuesday night.
The Wildcats trounced Altoona-Midway High’s Jets 53-20 in the opening round of the annual Wildcat Winter Classic. Yates Center captured its first win of the young season.
Wildcat head coach Abbie Collins said the team played tough defense to start the game, evident by the scoreboard. She said the Wildcats did a better job rebounding than in their season opener Friday against Eureka High.
“We got a lot of rebounds and putbacks,” she said. “We didn’t do a very good job rebounding the first night so we did a good job boxing out.”
Holding the Jets to just two opening-period points was all the Wildcats needed to get a lead they wouldn’t relinquish. The eight points scored by the Jets in both the second and third periods were the most allowed by the Wildcats in a single period.
Collins said strong performances by junior Emily Baker and senior Bailie Chambers “really got it going on offense.”
Baker had as many points as the Jets managed the entire game — 20, coming off seven field goals, four of which were from behind the arc, and two free throws. Chambers had 11 points and 12 rebounds.
But all is not well in Yates Center, Collins said.
“Even though they only scored 20 points, we still need to work on our defense,” she said. “We’ve got to be more aggressive defensively and move our feet better.”
The Wildcats continue tournament play Thursday in Yates Center when they take on Sedan High and Cherryvale High Friday.
Yates Center (16-17-12-8—53) (FG/3-pt): Steinforth 0-0-2-0, Wendland 0-0-1-0, Albert 1-0-2-2, Knowles 0-0-1-0, Baker 3/4-2-0-20, Holloway 3-0-1-6, Galemore 2-0-3-4, Francis 1-0-1-2, Karmann 0-0-1-0, Smith 1-0-1-2, Leach 2-0-1-4, Chambers 5-1-1-11, Estes 1-0-0-2, Chrisman 0-0-1-0. TOTALS: 19/4-3-16-53.
Altoona-Midway (2-8-8-2—20): Lacrone 4-3-1-11, Lour 1-0-3-2, Reaves 2-3-1-7. TOTALS: 7-6-5-20.
Yates Center girls nail down victory
