Odessa's playoff run continues

DEER PARK - The Odessa girls kept their playoff run alive with a 50-36 win over the Republic Tigers in the District 7 1B Tournament at Deer Park Saturday, Feb. 10.

Republic was eliminated with the loss.

As has been the case many times this season, seniors Hayden Schuh and Melloney Deife proved to be the catalyst for the win.

Schuh scored most of her 17 points from inside the paint while Deife scored her 17 points from the wing. Four of Deife's baskets were from behind the 3-point arc.

The teams were tied 7-7 after one quarter.

Odessa's high scoring second quarter proved to be the difference in the game. In that quarter, Odessa put 18 points on the scoreboard compared to Republic's six to extend its lead to 25-13. Republic closed the gap to seven points in the second half but drew no closer as Odessa cruised to the 50-36 win.

Beside Schuh and Deife's combined 34 points, Ashley Zagelow scored six points, Leah Beth Classen and Mackenzie Lutz each scored four points and Reegan Carstensen scored two points.

"The key for us tonight is that everyone on our team played well," Deife said. "We shot really well and played good defense. In the second half we did a good job of breaking their press."

Ember Berndt led Republic in scoring with 14 points.

"It was a little ugly at the end," Odessa head coach Travis Schuh said. "But overall, the girls did a good job. We moved the ball really well. Sometimes a good win is an ugly win."

With the win, the Tigers earned the right to play Wilbur-Creston-Keller in a loser-out game at Deer Park High School at 5:45 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 15.