The Millard West Lady Cats finished a strong season for women’s basketball, improving all throughout the season. They ended 14-9, a solid record to give them the middle seed in a bracket. In the District “A-5” bracket, they were placed #2 and went up to face #3 Elkhorn South in the semi-finals, a concerning but winnable opponent. On Feb. 25th, the Lady Cats tipped off at Millard West due to the higher seed, and districts have begun. 

Millard West had a field day with Elkhorn in the first and second quarters, going up by 12 in the first quarter, (West scoring 20, Elkhorn scoring 8,) senior Honnah Leo doing what she does best by almost scoring 30 points for herself and her team, 12 of those points were three-pointers all adding up to her shooting 60% from the field. Six different Wildcats got on the scoresheet, including the freshman Libby Hoffman for six points, senior Kennedy Darner going up for 10 points. Junior Laney Schipper for two, senior Gabby Felker for eight and finally senior Jenna Bohaty for five total points giving the Wildcats a path to the final, winning 60-45 and knocked Elkhorn South out of the District playoffs. 

From the layout of the “A-5” bracket, since #1 Norfolk won against #5 Omaha Central in the semi-final, they walked into the finals against the Lady Cats on Feb. 27th. A road trip for the Lady Cats as they faced the higher seed, and one game away from a District title. A very slow start for both teams in the first quarter, 2-5 was the first quarter score, and on paper, it looked like a very close game. Platte then kicked into high gear and outscored the Wildcats by 11 in the second quarter, giving them a 24-10 lead into halftime. A disappointing start, but a lead the Wildcats can cut down the rest of the game. The Lady cats came out of the locker room looking for a better second half, and that’s exactly what they found, outscoring Platte by four, and due to the immense lead the Lady Cats need the quarter of a lifetime to comeback in this game. The Lady Cats fell well short of the points needed to force an overtime and their district hopes die after a well fought battle against two really solid teams throughout the bracket. Platte knew what they needed to do, and they executed it flawlessly. Since Leo is the biggest threat on the Wildcat offense and defense, they need to minimize ball contact from her on the court, and they did just that. Leo only making three field goals the entire game and only shooting 20% from the two while she only shot 11% from the three this time around. Bohaty actually really stepped up in the scoresheet scoring 13 and shooting 36% from the field, a very strong performance from her. Schipper stepped up as well shooting for 10 points in the game and going 50% in the field. Gabby Felker, although having only two on the scoresheet, she dominated the glass and the paint, getting a total of 11 rebounds, (six offensive and five defensive,) allowing for the Lady Cats to get a second chance scoring opportunity. North Platte takes Districts by a score of 53-39.

All in all, the Lady Cats came out very strong this season. A season that has evolved into three-point shot guarding, and teams relying on their big girls to get things done in the paint and on the glass. Millard West overall going 14-9, a season not to be ashamed of, but one to build upon.