MCC men's basketball team starts season 1-2

The McCook Community College men's basketball team lost 76-50 to Lamar (Colo.) Community College last Wednesday and split two games at the McCook Merchants Classic over the weekend at True Hall Gymnasium.

The Indians lost to the Denver Force 88-76 and blasted the Kearney Magic 96-56.

In the loss to Lamar, the Indians were led by 6-foot-9 post player Sterling Link with 16 points.

Noel Cardinelli scored 15 points against Denver, Christian Lewis 14 and Link 11.

Five Indians scored in double figures in the win over Kearney, led by Trey Harris and Craig Wamsley with 16 each.

Clinton Napolean, Lewis and Link each scored 10.

Saturday, the Indians host Eastern Wyoming College at 7 p.m. ?

MCC women

1-1 in tourney

The McCook Community College women's basketball team started the season with a split in the McCook Merchants Classic at True Hall Gymnasium.

Friday, the Indians defeated the MCC All Stars 74-41. Saturday, MCC lost to Concordia 45-50.

Amanda Terpstra led MCC with 15 points and 8 rebounds. Sarah Hector had 10 points, 5 rebounds. Staci Moore had 9 points and 5 steals. Sadiyyah Guilford had 8 points, 6 rebounds and 5 steals. Kamillia Brown had 6 points and 6 assists.

"The team played hard and very aggressive agianst the All Stars," said MCC women's coach Michelle Orton.

"We were diving after loose balls and taking charges. It was good team basketball. I felt Sadiyyah really worked hard and a lot of the little things right to help our team."

MCC's leading scorer against Concordia was Brown with 13 points, 4 rebounds, 4 steals, 4 assists and 7 steals. Terpstra had 11 points, 3 rebounds and 1 steal.

"This game was a good one for us," Orton said. "It showed where are weaknesses are at and where we need to make some improvements.

"The team played hard in this game as well, but it wasn't enough to pull of a win.

"We were up by 3 with 2 minutes left and had plenty of opportunities to pull away, but we missed too many easy shots and let Concordia back in the game.

"A mental error with 1 minute left hurt us and Concordia took the lead after that. I am proud of how hard the team fought to the end and am very optimistic about our season.

The MCC women will compete in the Air Force Prep Classic Friday and Saturday at Colorado Springs.