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Chase delivers major win, DC-S girls stay perfect
BENKELMAN, Neb. — Getting too high or too low was clearly not an issue for coach Chris Bartels this morning.
After all, he’d just seen his Chase County Longhorns control both ends of the spectrum during a standout area basketball win.
“We knew if we just do what we do best,” Bartels remarked about Tuesday night at Dundy County-Stratton. “We’d have a good chance.”
Not only did they hold DC-S 30 points below its previous three efforts, the Longhorns unleashed 45 second-half points upon a team that hadn’t allowed more than 55 in an entire game this season.
Wow. The result was a 71-38 triumph over those C-2 No. 10 DC-S boys.
“We figured it would be pretty tough, winning on their home court,” Bartels said. “But we shot real well — over 50 percent from two-point range (58 percent, 14 for 24) and a lot of guys scored.”
Senior Kobe Clevenger and junior Cedric Maxwell teamed to shoot 11 for 17 (65 percent) while scoring 17 points apiece.
Clevenger drilled all four two-point shots along with nine of 11 free throws.
Seniors Taylor Jablonski joined classmate Logan Jussel in adding eight points each.
Junior Mason Nordhausen netted another seven points.
Jablonski, Jussel and junior Clay Meeske all connected for a pair of long-distance threes.
Meanwhile, consistent defense forced 26 turnovers from an athletic, experienced 8-1 Tiger team.
“When we play tough defense like that, we are always going to be tough to beat,” Bartels confirmed about his 5-1 team.
Chase’s 19 made free throws to the Tigers’ two on 10 attempts was another decisive factor.
No Tiger totaled more than senior Cade Lutz’s nine points.
Junior Keegan Krutsinger added seven points and senior Damon Latta slipped five through the nets.
The Tigers were playing without top scorer Michael Frederick, a 6’2” senior averaging more than 12 points per game.
Chase County will face two more tall tests as the season gains momentum during this week.
After hosting 4-2 Wray (Colo.) tonight, the Longhorns meet 8-1 Southern Valley to play their annual game at McCook’s Graff Events Center Tuesday night.
“Yes, they should both be (good tests),” Bartels concluded.
GIRLS
DC-S 60, Chase 43
Senior Maggie Lutz and junior McKinzie Baney both scored 16 points as the DC-S girls remained unbeaten at 9-0 Tuesday evening.
The Tigers took charge quickly, taking a 14-7 lead through one quarter which reached 32-11 by halftime.
Chase’s girls suffered just their second loss in seven contests.
Lutz shot six of six at the foul line and matched senior Sydney Reichert’s Tiger-leading 11 rebounds.
Senior Jessie Freeland added another nine points with four each from Reichert and junior Haylee Davis.
No Chase individual stats were obtained.