Scottie Girls Roll Over Poplar and Harlem

Tyann Graham told the Courier the Scottie girls would need to play well to secure wins over Poplar and Harlem. The Glasgow girls basketball team did not fail to deliver this past weekend. At home on Thursday, they took the first of their two weekend conference victories, beating the Poplar Indians, 59-46. Friday in Harlem, the Scotties exploded offensively, beating the Wildcats 79-33.

Glasgow took a 16-9 lead at the end of the first quarter against Poplar at home powered by their aggressive defense. The Scotties capitalized steals generated by their press, led by Daley Aune. The sophomore scored a significant percentage of her 22 points after forcing Poplar turnovers.

Both teams put up 13 points in the second quarter, giving the Scotties the 29-22 edge going into the half. Nine of the Scotties points came from beyond the perimeter with Abrianna Nielsen getting her second of the game and Alexys Mann drained two treys. Coach Travis Nielsen said he knew his team's outside game would come, and he is hoping that aspect of Scottie play will peak right as they turn their eyes to the post season.

Aune, Nielsen and Mann powered the team through the third quarter, scoring 18 points while the team's intense defense held the Indians to nine points. Poplar outscored Glasgow in the final quarter, 15 to 12, but the Scotties held on to win 59-46. Half of Glasgow's fourth-quarter points came from the charity line as frustrations led the Indians to rack up fouls late in the game.

Aune led the Scotties scoring with her 22 points, including going 6-for-9 from the free throw line. A. Nielsen scored three treys, two field goals and two free throws for 15 points. Mann also hit three from beyond the perimeter, and added two shots from inside for 13 points. Riley Noser scored six, Blaire Westby two and Graham had one. Nielsen and Noser led Glasgow in fouls with four and three, respectively. Mann was called for two and Graham and Aune had one each.

Glasgow continued their offensive onslaught in Harlem on Friday, again scoring in double digits in all four quarters. A. Nielsen drained three treys in scoring 11 points in the first while Noser contributed eight points to Glasgow's 24-15 first-quarter lead. Graham added three treys in the second and Aune put up six points as the Scotties outscored the Wildcats 26-6.

Starting the second half with a 50-21 point lead, Glasgow did not let up. Balanced scoring gave the Scotties 18 points while defensively they held the Wildcats to eight points. In the final eight minutes of play, Glasgow added 11 points to their side of the scoreboard while Harlem managed to connect on only two shots for four points.

Graham led the Scotties scoresheet with 19 points, including four treys. A. Nielsen also had four from beyond the perimeter as part of her 18 points. Aune scored 13 points followed by Noser with nine, Carly Nelson with eight and Mann with seven. Westby added two points and Stevie Hartwell had two. Glasgow kept their fouls low in the game, with five in the first half and four in the second. Aune had three fouls, while A. Nielsen, Westby, Graham, Nelson, Mann and Hartwell had one each.

While several aspects of the Scotties' game, such as defense and passing, contributed to their wins, teamwork is the key to Glasgow's recent success. "Overall the whole team is playing as a team," said Coach Nielsen, "and that's what we need to advance." Captain Noser said her teammates did a good job pushing the ball and playing smart offense. "We really just focused on playing our game," she added.

With only one weekend remaining in the regular season, the team is excited by their growth and turning their eyes to the post season which begins Thursday, Feb. 25, with the District 2B tournament. "We are just taking one game at a time, but it is exciting that our team is getting better and better every game," Graham said. "We are looking forward to tournaments!"

This week the varsity team traveled to Glendive for a game against the Red Devils on Tuesday, Feb. 16. On Friday, Feb. 19, the Scotties travel to Wolf Point to play the Wolves with C squad action beginning at 1:30 p.m. The JV game will begin at 4:30 p.m. with varsity action scheduled for tip off at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 20, Glasgow hosts the Sidney Eagles. C squad is scheduled to start at 1:30 p.m, followed by the JV game at 4:30 p.m. Senior recognition for basketball, pep band and cheer is scheduled for 7:30 p.m., prior to the varsity game at 8 p.m.