MCC basketball teams sweep North Platte

Thursday, January 20, 2005
John J. Mesh/McCook Daily Gazette McCook Community College men's basketball coach Ty Orton watches his team run its offense during Wednesday night's NCCAC/Region IX game against North Platte Community College. The Indians defeated North Platte 67-57.

The McCook Community College basketball teams swept North Platte Wednesay night at True Hall Gymnasium.

The McCook men's team defeated the Knights 67-57 and the Indian women's team won 63-52 to snap an eight-game losing strak.

Brandon Butler scored 19 points and Craig Wamsley 17 to lead the McCook men's team.

Marcus Vontz and Maarten Esveldt each scored 8 points for the Indians.

North Platte led 33-20 with 4 1/2 minutes left in the first half, but the Indians closed the gap and seized the momentum with a 10-0 run.

North Platte (8-9) shot 22 percent from thefield in the second half and was 1-for-10 from behind the 3-point line.

The McCook men improved to 10-8 overall and 1-0 in the Region IX Sub-Region and the Nebraska Community College Athletic Conference.

"The guys played very well last night and fought through some adversity," said MCC coach Ty Orton. "To win by 10 and not being in the bonus in the second half, shooting 3-of-13 from the free throw line, having 21 turnovers, and giving up 15 offensive rebounds, was a indication of how determined this team was to win this game.

"I believe that we are starting to peak as a team. But that was only our first conference game. The great thing about this team is that Brandon will always get his 17, but you never know who will step up next.

"Today it was Craig Wamsley. He is a large factor on our team. But our bench play was very strong. Anthony Chambers played very well. Ben Shaw and Brett Thomas put in great minutes for us and Marcus Vontz and Quentin Muckle helped to bring us back in the first half."

The McCook women withstood several North Platte runs to pull away for an 11-point victory.

Tonya Ficken led the Indians (6-11 overall, 1-0 NCCAC) with 25 points. Whitney Messman added 20.

Ty Orton commented on the MCC women's victory. His wife Michelle, the women's coach, was very sick.

"Her freshman played very well and Taryn G (Guerrero) was a vital factor in the game.

Shawna Quevedo played very well at the point position doing all of the little things that do not show up the stat sheet.

"The girls are extremely hard workers and their defense showed that last night. Whitney Messman and Tonya Ficken played great games on both ends."

The MCC women and men play a Region IX and NCCAC doubleheader against Southeast Community College-Beatrice Saturday.

The women play at 2 p.m., followed by the men at 4 p.m.

The Indians' doubleheader Monday against Hamilton College (formerly Lincoln School of Commerce) was canceled.

The MCC teams received victories via forfeits.

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