Tigers tear up Raiders' upset title plans

Steve Towery/McCook Gazette Medicine Valley's Zac Bailey (right) achieved some real air time while trying to drive over Dundy County-Stratton defender Nathan Auffet during their D1 subdistrict title game at Southwest High School Thursday evening.

BARTLEY, Neb. -- A 15-4 fourth quarter finally sealed Dundy County-Stratton's 58-45 win over Medicine Valley at the D1-11 subdistrict title game Thursday night.

The No. 1-seed Tigers (21-3) couldn't shake those tenacious Raiders (10-10 final record), who pushed them into overtime before falling 60-55 last month.

DC-S caught fire for 24 first-quarter points as Phalen Sanford scored eight including two three-point shots.

Sophomore Jacob Gemborys added six more points.

Yet Medicine Valley kept it respectable at 24-16 thanks to six Raiders hitting at least one basket each.

Their defense improved and held the Tigers to only 19 points during those next two quarters. Med Valley closed within 43-41 entering the final eight minutes.

However, Joe Chancellor delivered the only two Raider fourth-quarter baskets.

Meanwhile, Nathan Auffet drilled a clutch triple while senior Noah Kerchal connected on three free throws.

The Tigers gradually pulled away to earn a spot in next week's D-1 district finals where they will play to make state.

Their opponent, site and start time were not obtained by today's press deadline. DUNDY COUNTY-STRATTON (58) -- Phalen Sanford 12 points, Noah Kerchal 12, Tyler Davis 11, Brandon Baney 9, Jacob Gemborys 8, Nathan Auffet 6. Three-pointers: Sanford 2, Auffet 2, Baney.

MEDICINE VALLEY (45) -- Zac Bailey 11 points, Ryan Klintworth 10, Joe Chancellor 9, Landon Lenz 7, Logan Burke 4, Sheldon Johnsen 4.