'Riders fight off Warriors to make Trail top three

Southwest senior Grant Slater (right, 4) lifts a tough shot over the Arapahoe Warriors Saturday afternoon as those Roughriders dropped in enough points to win this Cattle Trail Tournament consolation game. The ’Riders won two of three tourney games and now own a 3-1 season record.

Steve Towery/McCook Gazette

McCOOK, Neb. — Junior Bryan Leslie’s 17 points and a trio of clutch triples from senior Dylan Hofman fueled Southwest’s 47-43 win over Arapahoe Saturday.

The Rouhriders (3-1 record) earned third place in this eight-team tourney.

Senior Grant Slater and Hofman netted nine points apiece.

Senior Caleb Shald powered inside to hit two of his three field goals for five points.

Other crucial SW points came courtesy of senior Blake Williams (three), junior John Stritt (two) and senior Brandon Leslie (two).

Senior Carson Schroeder (17 points) and junior Yordi Gutierrez (13) combined for 30 Arapahoe points.

The Warriors (1-3) also got seven from sophomore Cord Frink, classmate Nolan Myers added four and senior Colton Hearn tallied two.

These familiar foes battled on even terms through a 12-12 first quarter and 20-20 into halftime.

Southwest conquered a hot third quarter, 19-16, then made just enough late points to seal this win.

Bryan Leslie’s 11 rebounds could not quite match Gutierrez getting 14 to lead Arapahoe. The Warriors fell shot despite an overall rebounding edge of 42-28.