Plenty of basketball action in McCook this weekend

Local basketball fans have a Thanksgiving treat in McCook this weekend.

Basketball enthusiasts have several opportunities to enjoy roundball action on the home courts over the holiday weekend. The McCook High School Bison will hold a pre-season scrimmage Saturday night at the Senior High gym. The scrimmage is set to begin at 8 p.m.

The McCook Community College Indians will host the MCC Thanksgiving Tournament Friday and Saturday at True Hall on the college campus in McCook. Two games will be held each evening featuring the MCC men and three other squads.

Each of the college teams entered in the MCC meet will have two tournament games. The Indians will be joined by Otero Junior College of La Junta, Colo., the York College junior varsity and the MCC All-Stars, a team comprised of players from McCook and the surrounding area.

McCook C.C. will face the McCook All-Stars Friday at 8 p.m. and the York College JV Saturday at 6 p.m. Otero will play the York College JV Friday at 6 p.m. and the MCC All-Stars Saturday at 4 p.m.

The Indians bring a 6-3 record into the holiday weekend competition.

Bison boys scrimmage

Local basketball fans have the opportunity for a sneak preview of the 2009-10 McCook boys Saturday night while helping a local charity.

Bison head coach Tim Garcia and his staff will put their Bison squad on public display during the Saturday night scrimmage. Admission is one canned good per person, with the food collected Saturday night to be donated to the McCook Pantry.

"This is a great opportunity for us to get on the court for some full-speed evaluation and help the community at the same time, so it is a win-win situation," Coach Garcia said.

The McCook head coach thinks this year's team can be solid. The Bison have just a few players returning with varsity experience from last season. But Garcia will field a team with good height, anchored by 6-5 senior Dustin Parde and 6-4 senior Mark Nichols. Coach Garcia said Parde and Nichols both saw increased playing time at the varsity level toward the end of last year.

Garcia will likely lean on returning starter Connor Larson, a junior, as McCook's top offensive option.

"Connor is no longer a secret and teams will prepare for him," Garcia said. "He is going to see the best defender our opponents have to offer night-in and night-out."

Garcia said seniors Ethan Hardin, Tye Smith and Nate Crick, and junior Drew Shields are the top candidates at this point to fill the remaining two starting positions. Several other Bison may play their way into increased time in the varsity lineup.

Garcia said he likes the competitiveness his players have shown in early-season drills.

"I love competitive practices -- that is how we will improve every day," Garcia said. "By pushing one another and challenging teammates on a daily basis for a varsity spot we will develop a strong work ethic and competitive environment, which will pay dividends come game time."

Limited home slate

Garcia hopes all Bison fans will come out to the Senior High gym Saturday night to get the sneak preview of this year's team. He said McCook will have a limited number of home games this winter.

"We are a heavy road team this season, with over 20 contests away and only five here at home, so this will make it a sixth opportunity for our community to see the boys in action," Garcia said. "I can't wait to see just what the boys can do. This scrimmage will answer a lot of questions our staff has and allow us to make some crucial decisions concerning roles for each of our players."

The Bison Youth Basketball program will also be held Saturday from 9 to 10 a.m. for all players in grades 4-8. There is no cost for the youth program, and the high school players will be leading instruction for the kids.

The McCook boys and girls open the 2009-10 season next Thursday at Chase County.

MCC THANKSGIVING TOURNAMENT

Friday-Saturday at True Hall gym,

McCook Community College campus

Friday's Games

Otero (Colo.) Junior College vs. York College JV, 6 p.m.

McCook Community College vs. MCC All-Stars, 8 p.m.

Saturday's Games

Otero (Colo.) Junior College vs. MCC All-Stars, 4 p.m.

McCook Community College vs. York College JV, 6 p.m.