Deshler's Lauren Schmidt battles Osmond's Alison Schmit
(right) and Carissa Gutz for a rebound Thursday in Lincoln.
LINCOLN — Deshler girls basketball coach Heath Birkel knew defense and rebounding were going to be the keys to beating Osmond in the first round of the Class D-2 state tournament. Unfortunately for the Dragons, those two aspects were what Osmond did best Thursday.
Deshler was defeated by Osmond 42-27 at Lincoln Northeast on Thursday. Osmond held Deshler to just two field goals in the first and fourth quarter to end the Dragons' season at 23-4.
"(Osmond) came ready to play. They were physical," Brikel said. "They knocked some big shots ... and they did a good job on rebounds. Those are two things that you have to do every game if you're going to be successful. Unfortunately we didn't do them well enough tonight."
Deshler junior Jenscena Hansen led the team with 10 points. Fellow junior April Maschmann had eight points, all of which came in the first quarter.
To read more, see Friday's Hastings Tribune or the Tribune e-edition.>>>
