Girls pick up first win of the season

Tiospa Zina jumped on the Custer Wildcats early and forced Custer into 26 turnovers on their way to a 54-20 win over Custer in the 13th place game at the Lakota Nation Invitational last Saturday morning.

Playing in the 8 a.m. game at the Ice Arena, the girls looked like it was an early game with the Lady Wambdi press creating Wildcat turnovers that led to easy Tiospa Zina baskets. 

“Playing at 8 a.m. is not always the most fun, but it doesn’t matter what time the game is—it comes down to how ready the team is mentally,”â��Custer head coach Stephanie Ornelas said. “I think our girls thought this was going to be an easy game. We weren’t ready mentally to start off.” 

Tiospa Zina jumped out to a 10-2 lead before Billie Wicks hit a baseline jumper for Custer, but the Lady Wambdi rattled off the next 18 points. Breonna Jackson had a steal and layin, followed by a three-pointer. By the time Jacque Jackson hit a three-pointer with 3:58 left in the first half, Tiospa Zina had a 28-4 lead and the rout was on.

Jackson started the second half hitting another three-pointer and had another basket at the 10:42 mark to make the score 43-12. Custer got into double digits midway through the second half on a pair of Darian Turner free throws.