By JIM MISUNAS

jmisunas@gbtribune.com

OTIS — The four-year run for Otis-Bison standouts Maddie Wiltse and Cora Anderson has finished where it started — at the 1A state basketball tournament. Wiltse has signed to play basketball at Kearney State (Neb.) and Anderson is committed to Barton Community College.

Wiltse scored 29 points and Anderson netted 12 points as the Cougars downed unbeaten Golden Plains 51-37 in the 1A substate championship. The Cougars avenged a loss to unbeaten Kensington Thunder Ridge last year with a 33-28 semifinal victory. Last year, Thunder Ridge eliminated the Cougars. Two years ago, the Cougars lost 35-29 to 1A Division 2 state champion Quinter. 

“We knew we’d play Thunder Ridge again, and we were ready,” said Otis-Bison coach Robert Trapp. “The girls are playing with confidence. The girls are excited to qualify for 1A state basketball. We were better defensively this year. We’re making teams play a halfcourt game.” 

The 6-foot-2 Wiltse (17.3 ppg) and 6-foot Anderson (10 ppg) are the Cougars’ leading scorers just like they were as ninth-graders. Wiltse and Anderson were the team’s leading scorers when the Cougars defeated Golden Plains 41-34 to place third in 1A-Division 2 in 2017. 

Wiltse and Anderson anchor an aggressive zone defense with their rebounding and shot-blocking ability. Otis-Bison coach Robert Trapp owns an 88-30 record in five seasons.

The Cougars switch defenses from 1-3-1 and 3-2 zones to matchup defense with Cristen Trapp and Danica Bartonek the designated defensive stoppers.

“Maddie and Cora provide a strong inside presence. Our main defensive goal is shut down the lane and make them shoot outside shots,” Trapp said. “We’ll play zone defense or a defense with Cristen Trapp or Danica Bartonek defending the other’s team high scorer. We want teams to shoot it from outside and maybe make them rush their offense.”

The Cougars also feature veteran starters Cristen Trapp (9 ppg), Lauren Maier (4 ppg) and Bartonek (3 ppg) in a lineup that typically plays most of the minutes, Wiltse averaged 25 ppg in the two substate games. The other Cougars contribute offensively when they see an opening.

“Teams pack their defense inside, but we need to make open outside shots,” Trapp said. 

The Cougars open against last year’s 1A state runner-up Hanover (23-1) at 8:15 p.m. Thursday at Dodge City. Trapp hopes Hanover plays man-to-man defense and tries to play Wiltse one-on-one. Hanover prefers man-to-man defense with some pressure defense.

“Hanover is ranked second and plays in an extremely tough league,” Trapp said. “They’ve beaten four teams in the state tournament. “Hopefully, we’ll make shoot over the top of our defense. Our senior class has won a lot of basketball games.”

The Cougars (23-2) earned their fifth state tournament trip. They lost both games to 1A powerhouse Central Plains 58-35 and 68-24. 

“We played one good half against Central Plains,” Trapp said. “The minute you stop attacking you, they will make you pay. They take advantage of every weakness you have.”

OTIS-BISON COUGARS

10—Kyra Ball, 9

13—Johannah Baalmann, 9

14—Macie Wiltse, 9

15—Hailee Morrison, 9

20—Taylor Croisant, 9

22—Maddie Wiltse, 6-2, 12

24—Cristen Trapp, 5-9, 12

25—Danica Bartonek, 5-4, 11

32—Lauren Maier, 6-0, 11

42—Cora Anderson, 6-0, 12

OTIS-BISON GIRLS HISTORY (3-5) 

5 STATE TRIPS 

2020—1A—Otis-Bison (23-2) vs. Hanover (22-1)

2017—1A-DIV. 2—Otis-Bison 53, Caldwell 46; Waverly 44, Otis-Bison 34; THIRD PLACE—Otis-Bison 41, Golden Plains 34 

1990—1A—Sylvan Grove 55, Otis-Bison 38

1985—1A—Mankato 44, Otis-Bison 36

1976—1A——Otis-Bison 64, Jefferson North 50; Hill City 56, Otis-Bison 38; THIRD PLACE—Maize 56, Otis-Bison 38