Lady Eagles Show Grit, Close Topside Tip-Off with Seventh-Place Finish
December 13
The Colby High School Lady Eagles closed out the Topside Tip-Off Tournament in Goodland with a performance that reflected growth, resilience, and a step forward as a team, finishing seventh after a decisive win over Norton on Saturday.
The three-day tournament opened with a difficult first-round matchup against Life Prep, where Colby ran into a sharp, athletic opponent that challenged the Eagles on both ends of the floor. The loss sent Colby into the consolation bracket, where a second-round matchup with Ulysses followed. Despite stretches of improved play and moments where Colby battled back into contention, the Eagles were unable to sustain momentum and fell again, setting up a seventh-place game against Norton on the final day.
Saturday’s matchup proved to be a turning point for the Lady Eagles.
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“It was good that we were able to have success on Saturday. That was our best overall game to date,” head coach Yancey Walker said.
Coming off a short turnaround, Colby had limited time to prepare for Norton, with just a brief walkthrough before tipoff. Even so, the Eagles played with confidence and discipline from the opening minutes. Defensively, Colby stayed organized and physical, limiting second chances and forcing Norton to work deep into possessions. Offensively, the Eagles found balance, building an early lead and maintaining control as the game progressed.
“I felt that we showed grit on Saturday,” Walker said. “Even though we only had about a 30 minute walk through to prepare for Norton, we defended their actions pretty well, we got a lead and then we absorbed their runs to keep the lead as the game went on.”
That ability to absorb pressure was a key difference compared to earlier games in the tournament. When Norton made pushes to cut into the lead, Colby responded with composed possessions, timely scoring, and strong execution at the free-throw line. The Eagles did not panic, instead leaning on defensive stops and smart decision-making to keep separation on the scoreboard.
The win not only secured seventh place, but also capped a weekend that included individual recognition for Shaylee Holzmeister and Emily Flanagin, who were named to the 2025 Topside Tip-Off All-Tournament School Leadership Team. Their leadership on the floor mirrored the team’s overall progress, particularly in Saturday’s performance.
With the tournament complete, Colby now turns its attention to a challenging week ahead. The Lady Eagles will face Holcomb, one of the league’s most established programs and a perennial state contender.
“As far as next week, we are working to build off of our success Saturday,” Walker said. “Holcomb will be a tough opponent. With today being Sunday, I’m just now starting to watch video on them, but they and Goodland have the most coming back in the league. They are a Top 10 team in 3A, deservedly so, and they have a very skilled team.”
Walker noted that Holcomb’s ability to score quickly and dominate the glass will be a major focus in preparation.
“They have scored a large percentage of their points in transition, and they have also collected their share of offensive rebounds,” he said. “We’ll have to play well there is no doubt.”
For Colby, the goal is clear: carry the confidence, defensive intensity, and mental toughness shown Saturday into the next stretch of the season. After navigating a demanding tournament schedule and responding with their strongest outing yet, the Lady Eagles left Goodland with momentum and a clearer sense of identity as they prepare for one of their toughest tests to date.
Next, the Eagles will be hosting Holcomb at 4:30pm at the Colby Event Center on Tuesday, Dec. 16.