Girls fight illness, injury — Lady Dogies search for consistency

Battling illness and injuries that left the roster shorthanded, the Newcastle Dogie girls basketball team pushed through a demanding three-game week as the regular season enters its final stretch.

Despite the setbacks, the Dogies showed competitive stretches — particularly in the first half against Custer — but consistency remains elusive with just two weeks left before postseason play.

Newcastle opened the week Tuesday at Custer and matched the Wildcats early, tying the game 16-16 after the first quarter and remaining deadlocked at 24-24 at halftime. The Dogies handled Custer’s pressure well and executed offensively in the opening half before a decisive third quarter turned the momentum.

Custer outscored Newcastle 23-10 in the third to take control en route to a 61-47 win.

“I thought we started the game great. We made some early shots, played good defense and handled Custer’s pressure well,” head coach Mike Pederson said. “We have great competitive stretches followed by lapses in defensive intensity. Playing for short stretches isn’t enough to get wins at this level.”

Sydney Pederson led Newcastle with 15 points, while Zadyn Allen added 12 points on an efficient shooting night. Brooklyn Benshoof contributed six points and Josie Smith finished with five as the Dogies shot 42% from the field.

The physical toll of the week became more evident Friday against Glenrock. Short on available players, Newcastle struggled to find rhythm in a 55-16 loss.

“Playing through sickness and injuries is never ideal, and it definitely affects our energy and execution,” Pederson said. “There were moments where fatigue hit harder than usual, but we got great minutes from some girls who do not see a lot of time.”

The Dogies had difficulty generating offense and were unable to string together consistent possessions, committing 39 turnovers while shooting only 24% from the floor. Allen led the way with 11 points and four boards.

Saturday’s home game against Torrington followed a similar pattern. The short-handed Dogies fell behind 38-11 at halftime before showing improved effort in the third quarter, cutting into the deficit with a 12-point third period. Torrington responded in the fourth, however, to secure a 62-26 win.

“I’m proud of the heart our team showed,” Pederson said. “We didn’t use illness as an excuse and focused instead on our attitude, effort and commitment to each other.”

Kaia Pederson led Newcastle with 7 points, while Benshoof added 6 and Kyndal Von Eye finished with five.

With the regular season winding down, Newcastle will have the week off before closing conference play at home against Glenrock next Thursday and on the road at Buffalo on Saturday. 

The 3A East Regional Tournament will follow the next week in Buffalo, running Thursday through Saturday.

Pederson said the focus remains on building consistency and finishing games with the same intensity the girls have shown in their best stretches.