Basketball Recap: Payton Palmer Leads a Balanced Attack to Beat Standing Bear

Elkhorn North

Margin (Wins)

12/17/24 @ Hastings	30
01/10/25 vs Standing Bear	26
01/04/25 vs Gretna	-5
12/28/24 vs Elkhorn	-6
12/21/24 vs Norris	-22

Elkhorn North had to endure a three-game losing streak, but that streak is no more. Everything went their way against the Standing Bear Grizzlies on Friday as Elkhorn North made off with a 59-33 victory. Elkhorn North has made a habit of sweeping their opponents off the court, having now won three contests by 25 points or more this season.

Elkhorn North's win was the result of several impressive offensive performances. One of the most notable came from Payton Palmer, who went 6 of 10 en route to 13 points. The team also got some help courtesy of Sahler Smith, who posted eight points and five rebounds.

Elkhorn North was working as a unit and finished the game with 14 assists. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Standing Bear only posted seven assists.

Braylee Vasa and Lily Hansmeier certainly did their best on Friday to avoid the loss. Vasa put up 12 points along with five rebounds and three steals, while Hansmeier had 11 points. Vasa is on a roll when it comes to steals, as she's now grabbed two or more in the last four games she's played.

Elkhorn North's win ended a three-game drought at home and bumped them up to 4-4. As for Standing Bear, their loss was their fourth straight on the road, which dropped their record down to 2-6.

Elkhorn North didn't take long to hit the court again: they've already played their next match, a 67-57 defeat against Skutt Catholic on the 11th. As for Standing Bear, they are taking a road trip to take on Elkhorn at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday. Elkhorn will roll in looking for their fourth straight victory, something Standing Bear surely won't give up without a fight.