The Cattle Trail Tournament can be a grueling week early in the basketball season with three games in five days.
    The Wauneta-Palisade basketball teams had their ups and downs in the tournament, but the Bronco boys’ team had a solid week with a third place finish.

Boys go 2-1
    The Broncos played great defense in the opening quarter of the tournament, giving up only two free throws to Medicine Valley. WP seniors Ben Anderjaska, Tucker Boos and Ty Duvel set the pace for WP early on. A half-court three pointer at the buzzer by Anderjaska highlighted the strong first quarter. The teams played even in the second quarter. A basket by Austen Rozelle with less than 30 seconds in the half gave WP a 25-13 lead. The Raiders made progress in the third quarter, but late baskets by T. Boos and Anderjaska kept an eight-point lead heading into the final stanza. A steal and layup by Rozelle on MV’s first possession set the tone in the fourth quarter as WP cruised to a 44-31 win.
    T. Boos scored 14 points to lead the Broncos. Rozelle chipped in 12 points. Duvel pulled down 12 rebounds. Anderjaska totaled six steals.
    Offensive struggles doomed the Broncos Friday against Hitchcock County. The Falcons took a 16-0 lead to start the game. Anderjaska and Duvel made four first-half baskets to lead the Broncos. Boos, Rozelle and Duvel also made 6-8 free throws. Anderjaska, T. Boos, Kennicutt and Duvel scored in the third quarter to cut into the lead, but WP could only score five fourth quarter points in the 31-56 loss.
    Duvel led WP with 13 points and 11 rebounds. Rozelle had three assists and three steals.
    WP wrapped up the tournament with a close win over Maywood/Hayes Center. Duvel got the Broncos off to a great start with 10 points in the first quarter. MHC nibbled on WP’s 17-8 first quarter lead in the second quarter, getting down to four points, 19-15, at one point. Three pointers by Boos and Allen Ramirez kept the Broncos ahead 27-20 at halftime. Both teams struggled in the first three minutes of the second half. Once more, MHC cut the WP lead to single digits before a three pointer by T. Boos and jumper by Anderjaska increased the lead to 39-26. The Wolves made a furious comeback in the fourth quarter, outscoring WP 14-25. WP made 4-11 free throws in the quarter, just enough for the 53-51 win.
    Duvel paced the Broncos with 18 points. Classmates Anderjaska, Boos and Rozelle each scored 10 points.
    Eleven rebounds gave Duvel a double-double for the second straight game. Rozelle grabbed eight boards. Anderjaska had eight assists and five steals.
    WP Head Coach Rod Gaston played a variety of players, including Allen Ramirez and Trace Bley, in the tournament, which Gaston said is valuable experience.
    “All the players, as well as the younger ones, are gaining experience in new roles,” Gaston said. “These younger players are gaining valuable playing time in varsity this past week, and will get a couple of JV games this week.”

Girls get first win
    WP opened the tournament with a 37-61 loss to Hitchcock County Dec. 10.

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