McCook Rebels returning to play in Hays

Friday, July 17, 2020
Malia Hilker’s in the zone while aiming to blast another pitch for the McCook Rebel Black during their Firecracker Invite championship effort last month.
Courtesy Photo

HAYS, Kan. — It’s a sweet but sad finale for one McCook Rebels softball team while another aims at future success this weekend.

Both the McCook Rebel 18-under team and 14-under Rebels Black are set to play in this weekend’s Hays, Kan., Tournament.

The Rebel 18s are completing quite a softball career which has featured summer state championships along with plenty of fall season success for McCook High.

It’s only the third Rebels tournament this summer following the Firecracker Invite in McCook June 27-28 and a Hays, Kan., Summer blast also last month.

Fortunately, these McCook High seniors have graduation along with a long-awaited 2020 prom to finish July.

Meanwhile, the Rebel Black 14 girls are playing their first tourney since that Firecracker Invite at McCook’s Jaycees Complex.

The Firecracker was a success with 23 teams competing despite all these troubles with COVID-19.

No team dominated like the Rebels Black as coach Lance Gillen’s team pitched three shutouts while winning a championship for their age division.

Rebels Black outscored four foes, 54-3, during the tourney with only North Platte Blandits staying within single digits (4-0 final).

Now coach Lance Gillen’s team gets one final great warm-up before Class C state tournament play at Hastings.

Hays, Kan., tourneys often feature several top teams from multiple states.

The Rebels 14 and McCook Storm are both set to play for Class C honors at Hastings next weekend.

Watch for results and more details as they become available.

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