ALVA – Some observers think the Bethany Lady Bronchos are struggling. Bethany coach Eric Sailer thinks of his team’s slow start as a learning process.

That continued Friday (Dec. 13) with a 50-47 loss to 6A Deer Creek in the semifinals of the Alva Shootout.

“It is a learning experience for all of us,” Sailer said via text. “We have so many new parts of the puzzle, trying to figure things out on the fly.”

Sailer highlighted the Lady Antlers’ size, speed, and length.

“We are learning the importance of every possession. At times we are executing at a high level and then there are times we are struggling to make the right basketball decision,” Sailer said.

Deer Creek (2-2) led by four points after the first quarter. Senior Kayten Donley was struggling to hit shots.

“She was getting good looks, but it was a physical game,” Sailer said.

In the second quarter, Donley and Ali Linn combined to hit 7-of-8 from the line as Bethany (1-2) tied up the game at halftime, 27-27.

Each team went on runs in the second half. After a big run, Bethany was up by four points with 3:00 left in the game.

After Deer Creek called timeout, Bethany turned the ball over twice, but kept the Lady Antlers from scoring.

With Bethany leading 47-43, The Lady Antlers broke through after senior Kayleigh Steele hit a 3-pointer. After the shot was made Bethany was called for a pushing foul, so Deer Creek got the three and the ball. Sophomore Adriana Radinovic hit a jumper to complete the 5-point play and the Lady Antlers led, 48-47.

Bethany had opportunities but couldn’t score and Deer Creek added another bucket to seal the win.

“When you are striving for consistency it is much tougher to do it against quality opponents at the 6A level,” Sailer said. “This is good for use to be pushed!!! Would we like to win every game, YES!!! But sometimes you have to learn through a loss.”

Kayten Donley finished with 14 points. Sophomore Camryn Regier added 12 points. Kayten’s sister, freshman Kamryn Donley, produced 10 points with two 3-pointers..

Radinovic scored a game-high 17 points.

UP NEXT

The Lady Bronchos meet Cimarron (Kansas) in the third place game Saturday (Dec. 14) at 2 p.m. The Lady Jays (1-2) are a 3A school in southwest Kansas. Cimarron beat Clinton, 49-48, Friday.

	1	2	3	4	F
Deer Creek (2-2)	18	9	12	11	50
Bethany (1-2)	14	13	12	10	47