Longhorns upset Irish to win SPVA title

Tuesday, January 23, 2018
Braden Space had a game-high 18 points to lead Chase County to a win over North Platte St. Pat's in Saturday's SPVA championship game 43-41.
Gabe Gauthier/McCook Gazette

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. -- Chase County pulled off its second upset in three games with a 43-41 win over North Platte St. Patrick’s to claim the boys SPVA championship Saturday night in North Platte.

The No. 6 seed Longhorns had a game-high 18 points, including four 3-pointers, from junior Braden Space to beat the top-seed and defending conference champion Irish. Freshman Cedric Maxwell added seven points, while Taylor Jablonski chipped in six.

After trailing 16-13 at the end of the first quarter, Chase County outscored St. Pat’s 11-5 in the second quarter. Space’s 3-pointer in the dying seconds of the half gave the Longhorns a 24-21 lead at intermission.

Trailing in the final minute, the Irish knocked down two 3s to cut the Longhorn lead to two points. Chase County, however, would seal the game by making six of its final seven free throw attempts.

In addition to outside shooting, Chase County won the battle of the boards. The Longhorns grabbed 26 rebounds, including eight offensive rebounds in the final quarter, to help generate second chance opportunities.

Jack Bauerle led Chase County with 10 rebounds, while Scott Wheeler was second on the team with six.

St. Pat’s was led by Gary White, who finished with a team-high 15 points.

After starting the season 1-8, Chase County has now won six of its last seven games to improve to 7-9.


Lady Longhorns finish third

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. -- Chase County closed out its SPVA Tournament run with a 45-39 win over Bridgeport in the girls’ third-place consolation game Saturday at North Platte.

Coming off a 51-30 loss to top-seed North Platte St. Pat’s on Friday, the No. 6 seed Lady Longhorns found themselves in a tight, four-quarter contest against the No. 2 Lady Bulldogs.

Holding a 33-32 lead, Chase County outscored Bridgeport 12-7 in the final quarter to pull away for the win.

Ragan Nickless and Mallie McNair finished the game in double figures to lead Chase County. Nickless had a game-high 14 points, while McNair had 13.

Nickless also had 12 rebounds to finish with the game’s lone double-double.

Bridgeport had three players in double figures, led by Grace Dobrinski and Brittany Nelson who each had 13 points.

Saturday’s win was the sixth in the last seven for the Chase County girls.

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