By Jacob Heid

Sports Writer

ALMOND – The Almond-Bancroft girls’ basketball team hosted its first playoff game, welcoming in No. 12-seeded Prentice on Feb. 21. 

The first half ended with a two-possession lead for the Eagles, as sophomore Mya Dernbach and freshman Aaliyah Newby stretched the lead out in the second half for a 58-43 win. 

Almond-Bancroft coach Keith Dernbach knows that once the playoffs hit, the seeding next to your name is just a number. 

The job isn’t done until the final horn blares.  

“I was nervous going in. We had a couple of key players sick and Prentice was a good 12-seed,” Dernbach said. 

Newby and Dernbach stepped up and impacted both halves, getting the scoring going for Almond-Bancroft in the first half. 

Dernbach had six of her 14 points in the opening half, while Newby posted seven. 

It was also senior Raegan Omernik impacting the scoreboard for the Eagles. 

She scored all but one of her 10 points in the first half in which Almond-Bancroft led 29-25 at the break. 

The Eagles’ defensive effort in the second half was a big difference in the win. 

Dernbach (14 points) and Newby (17 points) continued dominating the offensive end, combining for 18 of the 29 second-half points.

Almond-Bancroft gave up four 3’s in the second half but only allowed 18 points, being able to expand its lead comfortably. 

Dernbach (Keith) was enthusiastic about the team’s performance, saying it was a great overall performance, even with a few players sick.

The No. 5-seeded Eagles advance and will face No. 4 Iola-Scandinavia on the road in the regional semifinals on Friday, Feb. 24. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.