Rebel champs are dynamite at Firecracker!

The McCook Rebels Black outscored four foes, 54-3, while winning last weekend's Firecracker Fastpitch Tournament 14-and-under championship in McCook. Champion players appear from left. Front row: Malia Hilker, Bailee Fawver, Danika Havlicek, Lacyn Keller and Megan Miller. Back row: Briley Morgan, Brooklynn Gillen, Dani Johnson, Roslyn Weimers, Sydney Hodgson and Paige Bortner. More photos and details will appear in Tuesday's Gazette.

Deanna Johnson/Courtesy Photo

McCOOK, Neb. — Their opening 21-run blast signaled the McCook Rebels Black 14s were ready for a sensational Firecracker Tournament softball performance all weekend in McCook.

Consider that after the 21-3 win over Gothenburg Angels, opponents did not score again in three games against coach Lance Gillen's team.

McCook Rebels Black doused any fireworks fromNortheastern Gold, 16-0; North Platte Bandits, 4-zip; and finished with Sunday's 13-0 victory over Brush (Colo.) Beetdiggers.

The McCook Rebels Black salute one of their opponents while observing social distancing during Firecracker Fastpitch softball tournament play in McCook last weekend.

Deanna Johnson/Courtesy Photo

The soon-to-be McCook Junior High eighth graders topped teams with some girls who will be entering their sophomore years this year, tourney officials reported.

More details and photos will likely appear in Tuesday's McCook Gazette.

The Rebels were only one of four teams to earn championships during this 23-team Firecracker tournament.

Nebraska Quakes won the 18-and-under division with players mainly from Omaha-area teams like Bellevue. Sandhills Sharks with coaches hailing from Ord placed second

The Nebraska Echoes ruled 16-and-under competition thanks to talent from several eastern Nebraska towns such Gretna, Bennington, Bellevue and Plattsmouth among others. Lincoln Rockets captured second place.

D'Milico Black ruled the 12-and-under Firecracker division while North Platte Jr. Belles took second.

Gothenburg Angels were second behind the McCook Rebels Black among those 14-and-under teams.

Another trio of McCook teams competed in the tourney.

The McCook Rebels 18-and-under lost two close contests to champion Nebraska Quakes, 4-3; and Sandhills Sharks 6-5. They edged the Beediggers, 4-3; and won their 14-1 finale over Cozad Classic Gray for two tourney victories.

McCook Rebels Pink lost four games but did battle champion Nebraska Quakes throughout a 7-5 contest. Runner-up Lincoln Rockets got past McCook's 16-and-under team, 9-4.

McCook Force joined the oldest Rebels in that 18-and-under division.

Coach Russ Rayburn's Force also nearly knocked off champion Nebraska Quakes but fell 2-1.

They went 2-2 just like the Rebels thanks to a 2-1 win over Cozad Classic Gray and 9-7 vs. Brush.

Sandhills Shark shut out the Force, 5-0.

Again, watch for more photos in Tuesday's Gazette.