Fast start only goes so far in Bison finale

R.B. Headley

Gazette Sports Editor

OGALLALA, Neb. --Wise old folks have always said "a quarter doesn't go very far these days."

The McCook Bison learned that tough lesson again Tuesday night after a fabulous first quarter of B-6 district basketball.

Everyone on the floor was hitting shots as McCook built a 15-6 lead over play-in game opponent Scottsbluff.

Junior Erika Fisher nearly matched the Bearcat output with five points including a three.

Yet the Bearcats clawed within 15-10 -- and then that one wonderful quarter was spent.

"It's kind of been our song of the year, we have really good stretches and we have stretches that hurt us," Bison coach Scott Leisy said. "And this time of year, you can't give up 26 or 27 points in one quarter."

Scottsbluff scored 26 during the second quarter.

The Bison did their best to keep pace as juniors Jaden Bryant and Bailey Honn both scored tough inside baskets to maintain a five-point lead.

Crashing the glass for second or third shots kept McCook from falling behind.

When sophomore MacKenzie Smith posted inside to hit another Bison basket,the score was tied 29-29.

Scottsbluff promptly unleashed a 7-0 run to finish the half with Sally Welsh totaling 19 first-half points.

Welsh would add just one free throw after halftime. Sadly, other Bearcats kept scoring en route to their 66-56 win.

"They have some girls who can shoot the ball, and that's what we are trying to develop," Leisy said during his post-game radio interview. "But we scored 56 points which should win a lot of times. It wasn't our offense tonight. We just didn't get enough stops on defense."

The Bison (6-17 final record) featured three juniors who reached double figures: Honn 11 points, Bryant 10 and Fisher 10.

Junior Brantleigh Morgan added another eight points while likely being another building block for the Bison.

They lose just three seniors: Faith Hansen, Lexi Gross and injured Abby Kalinski who will be playing softball for McCook Community College.

"These are good kids. Faith's had a long year with the knee (injury) but she started playing well down the stretch," Leisy observed. "Lexi did exactly what her role is as did Abby."

"This was a learning year, baptism by fire for some kids," he concluded. "We got to get quicker and shoot the ball better."

Scottsbluff (7-17) moves into a B-6 district semifinal against No. 1 seed Sidney Thursday night. No. 2 Gering and No. 3 Alliance play the other semifinal.