Bison boys fight off Vikings

Connie Jo Discoe/McCook Daily gazette McCook High School junior Aaron Ruppert (42) goes up for 2 of his 8 points against Grand Island Northwest. McCook defeated GINW 64-48.

McCook hosts

Cozad tonight

The McCook Bison boys got a battle from the Grand Island Northwest Vikings Friday night at the MHS gym.

McCook handed the Vikings a 64-48 loss and improved to 13-10.

GINW dropped to 4-14.

Cory Gaston led the Bison with 16 points. Zach Wieser scored 11 (9 in the fourth quarter) and Seth Schaeffer 10.

Aaron Ruppert added 8, Matt Berry 7, Connor Larson 7 and Eric Rippen 5.

Gaston and Ruppert each had 6 rebounds and Schaeffer 5. Rippen had 4 assists. Berry, Wieser and Larson each had 3 assists. Gaston and Larson each had 2 steals.

Adam Wemhoff led the Vikings with 13 points. Logan Velkin scored 9, Morgan Mason 8 and Travis England 7.

McCook led 32-20 at halftime, outscoring the Vikings 14-5 in the second quarter.

McCook led 45-35 after three quarters.

"The boys are playing well right now and continue to improve," said McCook boys coach Tim Garcia. "That is our goal over the next 8 days; to improve and gain confidence going into districts.

"Tonight's win is big for us. GINW has played some of the best Class B
teams in the state to close games. Coach Korus has his team running the floor well and we were able to weather thier early storm and get a
decisive win against a quality team.

"Our focus is now on Cozad and getting our seniors a big win for their
final game on our home court. These seniors deserve so much of the credit for our success this season and what is still in store for us. I really hope the community packs the house tomorrow night and shows these fine young men just how much we appreciate all they have done for our school and our sports programs.

"We are turning up the intensity, trying to step up another level or two
by districts. On offense we want to push the ball in transition and
establish a solid post presence to go along with our perimeter game. On defense we are working hard on maintaining a high level of intensity for four quarters, rebounding, and protecting the paint. I like where we are now, but I like where we will be come districts even more. These kids are so much fun to coach and watch play the game of basketball. We have become a pretty good team."

McCook will host Cozad tonight at 7:30 p.m. The junior varsity game starts at 6 p.m.

The games were changed from a 5:15 and 7 p.m. start time listed on the schedule.

McCook JV boys 70,

GINW JV boys 58

The McCook junior varsity boys rolled to a 70-58 win Friday night over GINW.

Connor Larson fired in 19 points, including three 3-pointers.

Austin Larson added 18 points with four 3-pointers. Dustin Parde had 12 points, including 4-of-4 free throws.

Tye Smith scored 7 points, Mike Grabowski 6, Ethan Hardin 3, Ryan Hardin 3 and Tyrone Sellers 2.

Ryan Hardin pulled down 7 rebounds. Larson and Dustin Parde each had 2 steals. Dustin Parde had 2 blocked shots.

Mike Marian led GINW with 11 points.

McCook 18 14 13 19 -- 64

GINW 15 5 15 13 -- 48

McCook: Cory Gaston 16, Zach Wieser 11, Seth Schaeffer 10, Ruppert 8, Berry 7, Larson 7, Rippen 5.

GINW: Pflasterer 9, Adam Wemhoff 13, England 7, Cox 2, Kieslehorst 7, Hadan 6, Johnson 3, Pomajzl 1.

McCook JV 12 24 17 17 -- 70

GINW 12 7 19 20 -- 58

McCook: Connor Larson 19, Austin Larson 18, Dustin Parde 12, Smith 7, Grabowski 6, Ethan Hardin 3, Ryan Hardin 3, Tyrone Sellers 2.

GINW: Velkin 9, McMahon 6, England 7, Eberhardt 2, Hadan 2, Pomajzl 7, Mike Marian 11, Stutzman 2, Mason 8, Kaspar 2.