By Terry Douglass
terry.douglass@theindependent.com

The Vikings (2-17) saw their season come to an end after shooting 14.8 percent from the floor (8-of-54) in the Class B, District 5 first-round game at Nebraska-Kearney's Health and Sports Center.

"We're a solid defensive basketball team and we rebound the ball pretty well," Northwest coach Russ Moerer said. "If you look at the offensive numbers, we're getting shots, but you've just got to make shots and that's been our problem all season.

"I think we had some open looks and we created some things, but then the frustration sets in and you're squaring up to shoot and you're not confident and that plays into it, too."

As much trouble as the Vikings had scoring, their determined work on defense and in the rebounding department kept them in the game for three quarters.

Northwest limited McCook to 21.4-percent shooting for the contest and came up with 21 offensive rebounds.

The Vikings cut their deficit to 32-20 on a Jenna Rouzee 3-pointer from the left wing with 25 seconds left in the third period and appeared to be back in the game. However, Northwest managed just three fourth-quarter points and didn't score again until Shayna Schacher's putback with 1:37 to play.

"We were stuck on 20 for so long," Moerer said. "I just kept thinking that if we could cut their lead down with three or four minutes left, then we could go diamond (press), we could substitute offense for defense and maybe we could create something off defensive pressure.

"With McCook's depth and great team speed, I was a little worried about going with full-court pressure any earlier than that."

Meanwhile, McCook scored all of its points in the final quarter from the free-throw line, converting 9-of-12 in the final eight minutes. The Bison were 19-of-26 from the foul line overall.

McCook coach Barry Schaeffer said the key for his team was keeping the taller Vikings off the glass. Northwest started a front line of Rouzee (6-foot-1), Julie Stoltenberg (6-foot) and Schacher (5-9).

"They weren't shooting the ball real strong, so we knew that we had to keep them off the boards," said Schaeffer, whose team edged Northwest 38-36 back on Jan. 12 in Grand Island. "With a big team like they have, they're dependent on rebounds and second chances and when they're playing a smaller team like us, that's where they're going to try and make their bread and butter."

Austin Wilson and Joanna Bryant scored eight points apiece to lead McCook, which advanced to play top-seeded Holdrege (19-2) in Tuesday's first semifinal at 6 p.m. No. 2 seed Adams Central (14-6) faces Lexington (11-8) in the other semifinal at 8 p.m.

Rouzee led Northwest with 12 points and nine rebounds, but was held scoreless for the game's final 8:25. Schacher added nine rebounds.

Moerer said it was a difficult season for the Vikings, but that isn't what he'll remember most about his team.

"I don't know if I've ever coached a team that showed as much character a team that got off the mat night after night and went to work and kept playing hard," Moerer said. "I think there are a lot of teams that would've packed it in a long time ago. These girls didn't do that and that is a great testament to their character.

"Sometimes, we overlook that in sports and I don't know that we should. I'm pretty proud of the way they responded."

MCCOOK 41, NORTHWEST 23

NORTHWEST (2-17)

Havranek 0-3 0-1 0, Birch 2-5 0-0 4, Rouzee 4-14 3-4 12, Stoltenberg 0-3 1-4 1, Schacher 1-16 2-3 4, Helgoth 0-3 0-0 0, Berry 0-5 0-0 0, Myers 1-4 0-0 2. Totals 8-54 6-12 23.

MCCOOK (12-13)

Wilson 1-5 5-6 8, Powell 2-6 2-2 7, Hazlitt 2-5 3-6 7, Bryant 2-8 3-4 8, Meissner 1-3 3-4 5, Lyons 0-1 0-0 0, Lyster 1-6 0-0 3, Krepcik 0-0 0-0 0, Palic 0-1 0-0 0, Swanhorst 0-1 0-0 0, Watkins 0-1 3-4 3, Jumps 0-5 0-0 0. Totals 9-42 19-26 41.

Northwest (2-17) 4 4 12 3 23

McCook (12-13) 7 14 11 9 41

3-point goals Northwest 1-16 (Havranek 0-1, Rouzee 1-6, Schacher 0-4, Helgoth 0-1, Berry 0-4), McCook 4-13 (Wilson 1-2, Powell 1-1, Bryant 1-6, Lyster 1-4). Fouled out None. Rebounds Northwest 42 (Rouzee, Schacher 9), McCook 44 (Hazlitt 7). Assists Northwest 3 (Rouzee 2), McCook 5 (Bryant 3). Turnovers Northwest 19, McCook 19. Total fouls Northwest 20, McCook 14. Technicals None. A 239.