There was indeed a silver lining for Silver Lake following last year's loss in the state tournament final.

The Mustangs have channeled that emotion into an even better season this year. Silver Lake (18-0) is ranked No. 1 in Class D-1 and is one of just six unbeaten teams left in the state.

“I think getting so close to a title last year has been a big motivator for us,” coach Keith Crowe said. “And the experience we had coming back also has played a role.”

After losing in the first round of the state tournament in 2001 and 2002, Silver Lake made its third trip to state in 2009. The Mustangs outlasted Deshler 60-57 in double overtime and slipped past Elkhorn Valley 38-37 before losing to Bancroft-Rosalie 56-43 in the final.

“That state tourney told our girls that we can definitely play at that level,” Crowe said. “That kind of confidence is a real positive to a school that hadn't had success at state before.”

Crowe, in his 18th year as head coach, said his team worked hard during the summer to prepare for this season. The Mustangs also had the benefit of returning four of their five top scorers.

Senior guard Cami Bruckman leads the team with an average of 14 points. Junior guard Bailey Morris (11 ppg), senior forward Kayla Timm (10 ppg) and senior center Shelby Rupprecht (9 ppg) aren't far behind.

The fifth starter for the Mustangs is senior guard Chloe Gibson, who is one of the team's top defensive players. Crowe says that team defense is the biggest reason why his team is still unbeaten.

“Some games our pressure defense has carried us through,” he said. “It's nice to be able to count on that when the offense is struggling.”

That defense has been stifling. Since surrendering 48 points in a season-opening win over Deshler, Silver Lake is yielding an average of 28 points.

Crowe said the team's mentality also has been a positive.

“The girls have bought into the fact that we have to play them one game at a time,” he said. “I know it's a cliché, but it's really important to come prepared to play your best every time you step on the court.”

With only two games left in the regular season, Silver Lake appears to be on track for that return appearance at state. The Mustangs are first in Class D-1 wild-card points, so a subdistrict or district loss might not be enough to keep them home.

Still, Crowe said his team isn't taking anything for granted in its quest for a first state championship.

“We feel very fortunate to still be undefeated at this point,” he said. “We've worked hard, and we've still got a lot more work ahead of us.”

Ratings update: Wahoo Neumann suffered its first loss of the season — against Class B No. 1 Seward — but the Cavaliers remain atop the Class C-1 rankings. The other top teams — C-2 Elmwood-Murdock, D-1 Silver Lake and D-2 Chambers — all remain unbeaten and ranked No. 1.

Postseason ahead: Subdistrict seeding is scheduled to be released Thursday by the Nebraska School Activities Association. Subdistrict play in Class C and Class D will begin Monday and run through Feb. 18, with the district finals set for Feb. 26.

Top games this week:

Class C-1: Tonight: West Holt at Norfolk Lutheran; Centura at Kearney Catholic; Hastings SC at Adams Central. Thursday: Wahoo at Wahoo Neumann; Crofton at Norfolk Catholic; Sutton at Hastings SC. Saturday: Norris at Lincoln Christian; Ashland-Greenwood at Wahoo.

Class C-2: Tonight: Norfolk Catholic at West Point CC; Tri County at Sutton; Humphrey St. Francis at David City Aquinas. Thursday: Kenesaw at Sandy Creek. Friday: Superior at Lawrence-Nelson; Tekamah-Herman at North Bend.

Class D-1: Tonight: Shelton at Silver Lake; Howells at Bancroft-Rosalie. Thursday: Wallace at Stapleton-MC. Friday: Sandhills/Thedford at Cody-Kilgore.

Class D-2: Tonight: Chambers at Elgin-Pope John; Hay Springs at Gordon-Rushville. Thursday: Greeley-Wolbach at Spalding-Spalding Academy. Friday: Wallace at Hitchcock County.

Contact the writer:

444-1350, mike.patterson@owh.com

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