Coyotes earn victory at home!

MERNA - Thursday February 2 was a big night at Anselmo-Merna High School! The Coyotes faced conference rival Twin Loup and put on a good show. It was their last home games for the season, and the community was on hand to show support.

The A-M Lady Coyotes defeated the Twin Loup Wolves 42-37, along with a Junior Varsity win. The Lady Coyotes rang in Senior Night with a hard fought defensive win over a strong Twin Loup squad.

They led 7-3 after the first quarter and kept the lead throughout the game. Shaylyn Safranek paced the Coyotes with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Makenna Miller and Lily Thornton chipped in 8 for the Coyotes!

The A-M boys basketball team has been fighting hard this season to get a win, and they finally did. Even the junior varsity won!

It was a close game until half time, but during the third quarter the Coyotes pulled away and the final score was 45-31.

Head Coach Troy Gilligan said, “The first win was a very different feeling than the last 16 games. I am proud of the boys.”

A-M also celebrated the seniors on their last regular season home game: Shaylyn Safranek, daughter of Craig and Kelli Safranek; Carlee Bartak, daughter of Brian and Lizzie Bartak and Alex Younes, son of Roger Younes and Christy Duryea.

After the girls played, the Teammates program mentors and mentees were recognized as well. This organization has a great impact on kids who can build a relationship with an adult other than their parent.

During half-time of the boys varsity game, the elementary dance team performed a routine that they learned at the dance camp.

The Coyotes traveled to South Loup on Tuesday and will travel to Ansley to take on the Spartans on Friday Feb. 10.

Becky Finney At left, Anselmo-Merna sophomore Josiah Griffith (2) goes in for a shot against Twin Loup junior Michael Starr (4) with teammates Peter Nuvoloni (10) and Henry Sortum (15) on hand for a rebound. The Coyotes won the game 45-31.

Far left, Coyote senior Alex Younes (24) tries to get past Twin Loup’s Waylon McBride (22) during A-M’s last home match of the season. The Wolves fell to the Coyotes 45-31.

Barb Miller Shown above, Anselmo-Merna freshman Shayleigh Coleman (15) shoots over Twin Loup’s Miranda Olson (15) and Madison Glidden (30). Shayleigh had 2 points, 5 rebounds and a steal in the Lady Coyotes 42-37 win over the Lady Wolves.