Cyclone GBB Season Ends with Loss to Atlantic, 52-40

Cyclone GBB Season Ends with Loss to Atlantic, 52-40 –

(2-19-25) – It was going their way… until it didn’t.

Harlan Community hosted Atlantic in the Class 3A Region 5 semifinals and got off to a hot start but couldn't hold back the Trojans as the Cyclones dropped a 52-40 decision at the Palace on Wednesday.

The Cyclones jumped out to an early lead on a 7-0 run getting Grace Albertsen and Aubrey Schwieso involved early. But after a few empty possessions, the Trojans came charging back, going on a 10-2 run of their own.

Cyclone Coach Zach Klaassen felt those early moments of the contest allowed the momentum swing away from his team.

“I felt like that first quarter, we could have kept them off the (offensive) boards a little bit and got a couple of loose balls we could’ve, you know, maybe got up 10, 12 on them, but it didn’t happen that way.

It’s just, like, the usual, you know, you give up a loose ball or you give up the o-board, then it’s a bang three right back at you or it’s an easy 2-footer. Those are huge momentum swings.”

Harlan Community was able to force turnovers, but couldn’t get shot to fall while being dominated on the boards by Atlantic for a 2nd consecutive game.

Despite the seeming dominance by the Trojans, the Cyclones found themselves only down by 5 after 3 qtrs and cut their deficit to 2 with 3 & ½ minutes remaining.

But Harlan Community just couldn’t complete the comeback.

Paytn Harter had 17 pts and 12 boards while Zoey Kirchhoff scored 24 for the Trojans, who will now face Cherokee Washington in the Regional Championship game Saturday night.

Seniors Schwieso and Albertsen each had 13 points and Molly Swensen had 4, including her 56th three-pointer on the season, falling two short from tying the single-season school record. Klaassen will always remember the leadership this group provided.

“Each one of those three are like family to me. I just remember all the way back to Little Cyclones, you know, just watching them come up through the ranks.

“Three really good basketball players, but better people.”

Harlan Community finishes their season 18-5.

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