Elko Daily Free Press
February 17, 2025
ELKO — Friday’s 1A East semifinal between No. 1 Eureka and No. 4 Wells was no fluke.
After a pair of losses to the Lady Vandals in the regular season by scores of 43-21 on Jan. 17, in Eureka, and 44-19 on Feb. 7, in Wells, the Lady Leopards were more than doubled up for the third time by a final score of 46-21.
Eureka jumped to a 15-5 lead by the end of the third first quarter and followed with an 11-5 run in the second, opening a 26-10 advantage by halftime.
In the third quarter, Wells was limited to seven points but gave up 13.
Going to fourth, the Lady Leopards trailed 39-17.
Down the stretch, the Lady Vandals pitched another defensive gem — holding Wells to single digits in every quarter with a frame-low four and tacking on seven to their total.
In the end, Eureka proved its dominance with a 25-point, 46-21 victory and swept the season series.
Senior Megan Johnson led the Lady Vandals in every statistical category with 15 points, two 3s, six rebounds, five assists, four steals and a block.
Freshman Anna McKay made her presence felt with 12 points, two rebounds, two takeaways and an assist.
Senior Natalie Gray closed with seven points, two steals, an assist and a board.
Freshman Natalie Bliss turned in five points, four rebounds, three swipes and a dime — sophomore Quil Filippini posting five points, two boards and a pair of steals.
The offense was rounded out with two points by freshman Annie Tibbitts, who also recorded two takeaways and two rebounds.
Without scoring, senior Hannah Bliss impacted the game with four boards, two assists and a steal.
Freshman Keilailee Perkins grabbed a board and made a steal, and sophomore Brooke Watts added one takeaway.