Top-seeded Jefferson County North dismantled Meade 62-42. The Lady Buffaloes entered the state tournament with a 14-8 record and a No. 8 seed. North jumped all over Meade early as it built a 20-12 first-quarter lead and led 29-21 at halftime.
North kept the pedal down as it held Meade to a second half that reflected the first exactly with 12 points in the first quarter of the half and 9 points in the last quarter of the half. North used a big fourth quarter to pull away for the opening-round victory.
North's Jacee Kramer dropped 32 points on the Lady Buffaloes as teammate Heather Polson scored 15. Meade was led by Bailey Olvera with 15 points. She was the only Meade player to score in the double digits. Jefferson County North will face No. 4 Moundridge in the second round.
Moundridge keeps Northern Heights at bay
No. 4 Moundridge wasn't impressed with the tall bleachers and high ceilings at Bramlage Coliseum in Manhattan. Instead, the Lady Wildcats felt right at home. No. 5 Northern Heights led after one quarter 13-8, but nobody settled in as Moundridge took control for the 54-38 first-round win.
The Lady Wildcats outscored Northern Heights in every quarter but the first, including a 19-point second quarter. Northern Heights didn't break double digits in the second and third quarters. Moundridge will face No. 1 Jefferson County North in the second round.
No. 2 Smith Center shows No. 7 Sedan the door
The Lady Red outscored Sedan 20-7 in each of the first two quarters for a 40-14 halftime lead. The rest, as they say, is history. From there, Smith Center cruised to a 61-35 win over the Lady Blue Devils.
Smith Center's Sydney Benoit led all players with 24 points as teammates Alexis Ryan and Trenna Cox scored 12 and 11 points, respectively. The Lady Red will meet No. 3 Sterling in the second round.
No. 3 Sterling runs all over No. 6 Republic County
The Lady Blackbears never trailed in its 63-47 domination of Republic County. Sterling built a 33-19 halftime lead and didn't look back. Sterling's Comley scored 15 points in the win and was one of four players for Sterling to score in the double digits.
Sterling will meet No. 2 Smith Center in the second round of the state tournament.
