MCC men can't handle Northeastern (Colo.) pressure in Region IX tourney

Unfortunately for the Indians, Northeastern had just a little bit more ammunition.

The MCC men dropped a 107-104 decision to the Plainsmen of Sterling, Colo., in the first-round Region IX contest last Saturday evening at the Bruce Hoffman Golden Dome in Sheridan, Wyo. The loss ends the McCook C.C. men's season with a 20-11 record.

MCC head coach Brandon Lenhart said his team battled back from a 10-point deficit to get with two points with 40 seconds remaining. The Indians were forced to foul, and Northeastern hit key free throws to hold off the McCook charge.

The Plainsmen made 25 of 40 free throws for 62.5 percent. MCC made 31 of 39 charity tosses for 79.5 percent.

The first half was a key to the game's outcome. McCook trailed 58-52 at intermission, and a tough Northeastern full-court pressure defense dealt fits to the Indians.

"We were mediocre at best," said Coach Lenhart. "They took us out of our game, to be honest with you, with the press that they put on us. In the first half, we had 16 turnovers, and we ended up 23 for game. It's tough to win a ball game if you can't take care of the basketball."

Defensive philosophy changed

MCC had beaten Northeastern twice earlier this season. Lenhart said the Plainsmen changed their defensive philosophy from the early-season meetings, employing the full-court press that they had not used early in the year.

"They didn't press earlier in the year -- they started pressing late in the year and really, that's what affected us," Lenhart said. "We were prepared for it and we knew that was going to take place, but it really disrupted us. We worked on the press throughout (last) week. On tape it looked like it was OK, their press was OK, but it wasn't something that was we were too concerned with going into the game. We talked about it, 'Handle the press, and we would be good to go.' We didn't handle it very well in the first half, obviously, having 16 turnovers.

"They capitalized on those turnovers that we had with layups, dunks and three's."

The MCC coach said Saturday's game was very physical, and his Indians could not control the Northeastern offense.

"We just couldn't get stops when we needed them," Lenhart said. "There was a stretch in the first half I think, when six of eight possessions we didn't get stops. We just weren't playing defense like we normally would. They had us back on our heels."

Widgett Washington of Northeastern had 20 of his team-high 32 points in the first half. Teammate Jerrell Washington had 15 of his 28 points in the opening 20 minutes.

"It wasn't like we weren't where we were supposed to be," Lenhart said. "I thought they (Washingtons) just played unbelievable games, getting to the rim, shooting the three, shooting free throws.

"We just allowed (Northeastern ) to get by us and make easy buckets, and make tough buckets. They were just pretty good all night long."

Dye, Hanson pace MCC

Lenhart said two MCC players "that have been rocks for us all year long," had great games again Saturday. Freshman guard Antonio Dye scored a game-high 38 points, including a 15-for-16 effort at the free throw line, plus 4 steals. Sophomore back-court mate Andrew Hanson added 27 points, including 3-for-3 from 3-point range and 8 of 11 free throws, plus 6 assists. Darius Robinson also hit double figures for the Indians with 12 points.

McCook 6-6 sophomore Marcus Landry got in foul trouble early, and his absence hampered the MCC cause, Coach Lenhart said. Landry fouled out of the contest, and he played just 11 minutes, scoring 7 points with 2 rebounds.

Both teams shot 50 percent from 3-point range. McCook was 11 for 22, while NJC was 10 for 20. The Indians hit 31 of 59 total field goals for 52.5 percent, while Northeastern was 36 of 61 from the floor for 59 percent.

"One of our kids mentioned that he was talking to one of the Northeastern players on the floor and he said, 'Well, it's about time we started playing.' So I would have to guess that that was one of their better games, one of their best games all year."

Coach Lenhart said Saturday's loss wouldn't diminish a great season for his squad.

"We had a really, really solid season -- I can't take anything away from that," he said. "The kids and my assistant coach, Joe Reagan, have been unbelievable. Joe Reagan has been great the whole year. I tribute all the credit to those guys, and student assistant Logan Moyer. Without everybody involved, we couldn't have been where we are. I really give all the credit to all the people involved in our program."

"Losing that game (Saturday) night doesn't really define us. The entire season we played one of the toughest scheduled we've ever played in a long time, definitely the toughest since I've been here. To go 20-11 this year is pretty solid. We have nothing to be ashamed of. We hope for great things for the years to come."

Losing six seniors

Lenhart will say good-bye to six sophomores in starters Marcus Landry, Drew Diediker and Andrew Hanson, plus reserves John Hill, Keenan Gaskins and Jonathan Estis.

Coach Lenhart also wished to thank the local fans for supporting the Indians this season.

"We thank the community for all their support, and we look forward to having them come out again next year at True Hall gymnasium," Lenhart said.

REGION IX MEN'S BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT

Friday-Tuesday, March 5-9, at Sheridan, Wyo.

Friday, March 5 First-Round Results

Laramie County (Wyo.) C.C. 85, Northeast Nebraska C.C. 79

North Platte C.C. 98, Trinidad State (Colo.) J.C. 76

Casper (Wyo.) College 71, Dawson (Mont.) C.C. 51

Sheridan (Wyo.) College 85, Western Wyoming C.C. 63

Saturday, March 6 First-Round Results

Miles (Mont.) C.C. 70, Central Wyoming C.C. 68

Northwest (Wyo.) College 85, Gillette (Wyo.) College 74

Northeastern (Colo.) J.C. 107, McCook C.C. 104

Western Nebraska C.C. 80, Lamar (Colo.) C.C. 78

Sunday, March 7 Quarterfinal Results

Laramie County (Wyo.) C.C. 74, Miles (Mont.) C.C. 70

North Platte C.C. 82, Northwest (Wyo.) College 71

Casper (Wyo.) College 85, Northeastern (Colo.) J.C. 71

Sheridan (Wyo.) College 92, Western Nebraska C.C. 73

Monday, March 8 Semifinals

All times CST

Laramie County (Wyo.) C.C. vs. North Platte C.C., 7 p.m.

Casper (Wyo.) College vs. Sheridan (Wyo.) College, 9 p.m.

Tuesday, March 9 Championship Finals

Laramie County-North Platte winner vs. Casper-Sheridan winner, 8 p.m.

Winner advances to National Junior College Athletic Association men's national tournament at Hutchinson, Kan. March 16-20.