Girls close regular season — Newcastle earns No. 7 seed, opens tournament against host Buffalo

The Newcastle Dogie girls basketball team closed out the regular season last week with games against Glenrock and Buffalo, and the team will return to Johnson County for the 3A East Regional Tournament this weekend and start its quest to salvage a rough season in a rematch against the Bison.

Newcastle finished the regular season as the No. 7 seed and will open regional play against host Buffalo, the No. 2 seed, at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday. The eight-team bracket is double elimination and runs through Saturday, with the top four teams advancing to the Wyoming State Basketball Tournament the following week in Casper.

The Dogies wrapped up their home schedule Friday against Glenrock, falling 78-30. The Herders set the tone early, outscoring Newcastle 55-16 in the first half before maintaining control through the final two quarters.

Brooklyn Benshoof led the Dogies with nine points and seven rebounds, while Zadyn Allen added six points, a total matched by Kaia and Sydney Pederson, who both contributed six tallies as well. Newcastle shot 29% from the field and struggled to string together consistent offensive possessions against Glenrock’s pressure.

Newcastle traveled to Buffalo the following night for its regular-season finale and fell 75-35. The game was competitive through the first half, but Buffalo used a decisive third quarter, outscoring the Dogies 31-10, to pull away.

Sydney Pederson led Newcastle with 16 points, while Josie Smith added seven. Zadyn Allen contributed six points and Kyndal Von Eye added three to go along with a pair of blocks. The Dogies rebounded by committee, with Sydney and Kaia Pederson and Smith all recording five boards and Allen chipping in with four. The Dogies shot 32% from the field and hit six 3-pointers but were unable to slow Buffalo’s attack.

With the regular season complete, Newcastle now shifts its focus to postseason play. The regional tournament format allows teams to stay alive with one loss, but two defeats eliminate them from contention. For the Dogies, the goal is clear — finish in the top four and secure a berth at state.

Newcastle will look to carry lessons learned from the regular season into tournament play as it prepares to face Buffalo once again, this time with the season on the line.

Statistics

Glenrock 78, Newcastle 30

Team statistics
Field goals: 10-34 (29%)
3-point field goals: 1-10 (10%)
Free throws: 9-21 (43%)
Rebounds: 24
Assists: 3
Steals: 4
Turnovers: 27

Individual leaders
Brooklyn Benshoof: 9 points, 7 rebounds
Zadyn Allen: 6 points
Kaia Pederson: 6 points
Sydney Pederson: 6 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steals

Buffalo 75, Newcastle 35

Team statistics
Field goals: 12-37 (32%)
3-point field goals: 6–22 (27%)
Free throws: 5-10 (50%)
Rebounds: 22
Assists: 8
Steals: 6
Turnovers: 23

Individual leaders
Sydney Pederson: 16 points, 5 rebounds
Josie Smith: 7 points, 5 rebounds
Zadyn Allen: 6 points, 4 rebounds
Kyndal Von Eye: 3 points, 2 blocks