Bison, Cards going to state tournament

Wednesday, February 27, 2008
McCook High School junior Matt Berry (4) tries to shoot over the block attempt by Lexington's John Dillard (21). (Connie Jo Discoe/McCook Daily Gazette)

KEARNEY -- The McCook Bison boys basketball team pounded Lexington 72-40 to win the Nebraska Class B-5 district tournament championship Tuesday night at the University of Kearney Health and Sports Center.

McCook will be making their first trip to the state tournament since 2003.

The Bison will take a 16-10 record to state under third-year coach Tim Garcia. McCook has won 10 of its last 11 games entering the state tournament.

Also making it to state tournament competition next week is Hayes Center (22-1) in Class D-1.

Hayes Center defeated Hay Springs 66-65 in the Class D1-6 district title game at Chappell.

Hitchcock County lost to Pleasanton 71-58 in overtime in the Class D2-5 title game at the Southern Valley High School gym.

The McCook Bison, which trailed 6-2, led 16-10 after one quarter and went on a 22-4 second quarter run to lead 38-14 by halftime.

The Bison led 57-28 after three quarters and tacked on a 15-12 fourth period for the final 72-40 margin.

McCook rode the hot shooting of senior Eric Rippen to its 24-point halftime lead. Rippen hit five 3-pointers and scored 17 points by intermission. He finished with 23 points.

Cory Gaston scored 10 points at halftime and Zach Wieser 8. They finished with 21 and 10 respectively.

Aaron Ruppert added 7 points, Chance Unger 3, Seth Schaeffer 2, Ryan Hardin 2, Connor Larson 2 and Tyrone Sellers 2.

Austin Larson, Matt Berry and Mike Grabowski played but did not score.

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

John Dillard led Lexington (7-15) with 8 points. Bryant Bernal added 6.

McCook shot 45 percent from the field, including 9-of-16 3-pointers, and limited Lexington to 29 percent.

McCook posted a 3-0 record against Lexington this season.

"The boys played inspired basketball tonight," Garcia said. "Everyone talks about how hard it is to beat the same team three times in one season, but we came out and dominated the game. That is a testament to just how mentally focused the boys were tonight.

"We are playing great team basketball, finding our hot shooters and letting them light it up, but it all begins and ends with our inside presence. Without the big men pounding away in the paint, many of those perimeter shots wouldn't be there.

"Our defense was nails tonight, applying great ball pressure and rebounding well. We out rebounded them 49-28, including 20 offensive boards. That is what we will need for us to be successful in Lincoln -- a complete game.

"Wow, what a feeling seeing the smiles on the faces of our players and just watching them enjoy the moment. And the crowd, our student section -- we were outnumbered, but you wouldn't have know that listening to them cheer. We really do have a bunch of great kid here in McCook.

"We will enjoy this win for a couple of days and then it will be back to business as usual, preparing for a tough first round game in Lincoln. It looks like we will be the fifth-seed playing Gretna in the first round on Thursday night. Whoever it is, I assure you that these boys will be ready to get after it."

McCook (16-10) 14 22 19 15 -- 72
Lexington (7-15) 10 4 14 12 -- 40

McCook: Eric Rippen 23, Cory Gaston 21, Zach Wieser 10. Aaron Ruppert 7, Chance Unger 3, Seth Schaeffer 2, Ryan Hardin 2, Connor Larson 2 and Tyrone Sellers 2.

Lexington: Dillard 8, Bernal 6, Tinglehoff 5, Long 5, Cunningham 4, Rios 4, Araujo 3, Schroeder 2, Seberger 2, Clash 1.

Class D1-6

Hayes Center 66,Hay Springs 65

CHAPPELL -- The Hayes Center Cardinals fought off Hay Springs 66-65 Tuesday night at the Creek Valley gym to advance to the Class D1 state tournament next week at Lincoln.

Matt Gohl led the Cardinals with 22 points. Justin Huss and Jake Rowley each scored 15.

Rowley grabbed 11 rebounds, Gohl 7 and Luke Clifford 4. Huss had 6 assists, Levi Tyan 3 and Rowley 3. Gohl had 5 steals, Huss 4 and Rowley 4.

"This group of young men got something tonight that they truly deserve -- a district championship and a trip to Lincoln to compete for a state championship," said Hayes Center coach Louis Cuellar.

"They have truly put in their blood, sweat and tears to get us where we are at and I am very proud of these guys, The atmosphere was awesome and we are looking forward to continuing it in Lincoln."

Class D2-5

Pleasanton 71,Hitchcock County 58 OT

SOUTHERN VALLEY -- Pleasanton forced the overtime and outscored Hitchcock County 16-3 in overtime to win the Class D2-5 district title game 71-58.

The Falcons posted a 22-6 record this season but did not earn a wild card berth for the state tournament.

Orrin Riggs led the Falcons with 19 points, Ryne Thompson added 15 and Austin Renfro 12. Sam Matson scored 7 and Jordan Kershaw 5.

Four Pleasanton Bulldogs scored in double figures, led by Jordan Axmann with 23 points. Trey Shafto and Elijah Zwiener each scored 11 and Zachary Rasmussen 10.

"I am very proud of our team," said Hitchcock County coach Mike Tines. "Our players came out and executed very well throughout the contest. Foul trouble really hurt us in the overtime period with two of our players fouling out.

"I cannot be prouder of a group of young men. I truly feel that we are one of the best teams in Class D2. Unfortunately we will have to watch the state tournament instead of playing in it.

"Pleasanton is a very good team and should make a run at the title next week. Thank you to all of the fans for making the trip. Your support was greatly appreciated."

Pleasanton17 7 16 15 16 -- 71
Hitchcock 6 15 16 12 3 -- 58

Pleasanton: Jordan Axmann 23, Trey Shafto 11, Elijah Zwiener 11, Zachary Rasmussen 10, Kyle Griffin 8, Trevor Paitz 6, Matthew Griffin 2.

Hitchcock County: Orrin Riggs 19, Ryne Thompson 15, Austin Renfro 12, Sam Matson 7, Jordan Kershaw 5.

Kansas Class 2A

Rawlins County 50, Oakley 45

OBERLIN -- The Rawlins County-Atwood boys advanced to the semifinals of the Kansas Class 2A sub-state tournament at Oberlin with a 50-45 win over Oakley Tuesday night.

Drew Basgall scored 23 points to lead the Buffaloes past Oakley. He hit a pair of 3-pointers and 7-of-9 free throws.

Jackson Grafel added 13 points for the Buffaloes.The season ended for the Oberlin boys with an 87-41 loss to Hill City.

Rawlins County (16-5) will play Hill City in the semifinals Friday night.

In the other quarterfinals Tuesday, WaKeeney defeated Ellis 63-38 and Plainville defeated Stockton 68-60.

WaKeeney will play Plainville in the other semifinal Friday.

Respond to this story

Posting a comment requires free registration: