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Trojans take round one from 'Riders
BARTLEY, Neb. — “Little cuz” and Cambridge’s big 1-2 punch proved to be clutch during a 53-47 rivalry win over Southwest Friday night.
There’s not much separating these familiar foes. Both brought six wins into their first showdown this season, and junior Blake Williams’ running one-handed shot gave Southwest a lead through three periods.
That’s when the focus of Trojan sophomore Paxton Ross paid off.
Ross hit a pair of three-pointers to clearly impress coach James Blex.
“We haven’t hit many threes this year,” the coach admitted following his Trojans’ seventh win. “But Paxton’s a volume shooter who can really get going once he hits a couple.”
Ross’ best success was finishing at the foul line.
He made all four of his free throws with two helping Cambridge finish a strong fourth quarter.
“I practice them a lot,” he said.
Ross also has reasons for looking up at high-jumping senior cousins Logan and Derek Greenlee from Southwest.
The brothers teamed to score 24 points Friday night.
Yet it was older Trojan teammates Caden Houghtelling (16 points) and Tyler Borland (12) — that 1-2 post punch — who helped Ross top cousins on this night.
“They’re friends who’ve both been big since grade school,” Blex revealed. “They work well on high-low plays. Not so much tonight (because of Southwest’s defense), but they found ways to help us win.”
The Trojans (7-2 overall) shook off a fast ’Rider first quarter faturing multiple first quarter featuring three-pointers from Williams and junior Dylan Hofman.
Cambridge allowed only four second-quarter points — only to see Southwest suddenly heat up and re-take a 32-31 lead through three.
“Our defense keyed it,” Roughriders coach Christian Arterburn said. “There were about five minutes where I thought we played our best defense of the year.”
However, the Trojans retaliated with 22 fourth-quarter points.
Houghtelling, Borland and Ross all hit huge shots to give Cambridge round one of this rivarly in 2017-18.
They’ll likely see other again soon, like last year’s subdistrict tourney when Southwest scored a first-round upset.
The ’Riders (6-5) went on to their first state tournament in Southwest boys’ history.
“That one still stings a bit,” Blex said. “It’s a bit a rivalry, but the teams respect each other. I’m sure we’ll see them again.”
“We’ll bounce back,” Arterburn concluded. “They did everything we asked tonight. I’m proud of them. Some things just didn’t roll our way.”
TROJANS (53) — Caden Houghtelling’s 16 points led Cambridge while Paxton Ross scored 14 and Tyler Borland 12.
ROUGHRIDERS (47) — Logan Greenlee scored 13 points, Blake Williams 12 and Derek Greenlee to pace Southwest.