Bayard splits with Garden County Friday night
BAYARD, Neb. - A strong fourth-quarter surge lifted the Bayard girls' basketball team to a 33-27 victory over Garden County on Friday night in Bayard, while the Bayard boys’ fell to the Eagles, 64-47, in the second game of the doubleheader.
The Tigers used a 10-0 run to open the fourth quarter in the girls' game, securing the win behind junior Alexi Nesbitt, who scored a game-high 10 points. Sophomore Emilee Houchin added 8 points, with junior Shelbie McKibbin and senior Riley Hopkins contributing 6 points each.
Bayard shot a 15-of-19 from the free-throw line (78%) and recorded 28 rebounds and 7 steals.
Garden County’s offensive efforts were led by junior Korryn Beberniss' 6 points. The Eagles shot 11-of-22 from the free-throw line (50%) and matched Bayard’s 28 rebounds, adding 9 steals.
Bayard improves to 4-3 on the season and will face Maywood/Hayes Center on Dec. 30. Garden County is 2-4.
In the boys’ matchup, Garden County senior Kade Collins led the Eagles with 23 points. Sophomore Javis Underwood added 13 points, while junior Wilsie Lobner and sophomore Kole Fornander contributed 9 each. The Eagles finished with 26 rebounds, 12 steals, and went 11-of-19 from the free-throw line.
Bayard was paced by sophomore Connor Posey, who drained four of five three-pointers on his way to a team-high 16 points. Junior Anderson Gaarder added 8. The Tigers grabbed 19 rebounds, tallied nine steals, and hit 6-of-14 free throws.
Garden County improves to 4-2 and will also face Maywood/Hayes Center on Dec. 30. The Tigers drop to 1-6 and will resume their season against Hay Springs after the new year.