DCS hands W-P lump of coal for Christmas

BENKELMAN, Neb. — Sorry, Broncos, but bah humbug.

Dundy-County Stratton’s boys had enough of spirited Wauneta-Palisade as a 16-0 third quarter broke open the 71-40 Tigers’ victory Tuesdy evening.

The visiting Broncos (1-7 record) raced in front, 17-15, through one quarter.

Party while it lasts — because the 6-1 Tigers took a 35-28 lead by halftime which reached 51-28 through three periods.

Freshman phenom Jackson Kerchal delivered another 22-point game and eight other Tigers hit clutch shots. Coach Kris Freeland’s team earned its second consecutive win after a Dec. 5 opening loss at Goodland, Kan.

Kerchal crashed the glass for seven offensive rebounds among his team-high nine.

Junior Nolan Burrell totaled 10 points followed by eight each from junior Mark Nelms and sophomore Alex Englot. All four classes hitting shots showed why Freeland loves the new talent on this year’s Tigers team.

Senior Serbando Diaz with seven points, senior Lincoln Waters’ six and sophomore Andrew Englot’s six were other Tiger leaders.

Overall, the Tigers shot a strong 56 percent from two-point range at 27 for 48.

Waters added seven rebounds, four assists and two steals to his solid all-around game.

Burrell pulled down eight rebounds.

Sadly, no individual stats were obtained for Wauneta-Palisade.

Southern Valley 64, Southwest 41

BARTLEY, Neb. — The Southern Valley Eagles soared on senior Clayton Berry’s 25 points and Carter Bose with 19 to their seventh win in eight games Tuesday night.

Coach Jimmy Sindelar’s boys did not overlook 0-8 Southwest during this final game before Christmas break. The Eagles took a 15-7 lead which reached 29-13 into halftime.

Southwest did outscore S.V., 19-17, through the third period and eight Roughriders eventually hit shots.

Sophomore Hunter Cunningham netted nine points, freshman Nathan Rippe seven and sophomore Kaden Day six points.

Rippe shot 75 percent as he made three of four field goals. Rippe, freshman Hunter Blume, sophomore Zack Ryan and Cunningham all connected from long distance.

Southern Valley seniors Colton Burgeson (seven points) and Dakota Coppedge (five) helped finish another strong Eagles win.

Berry took down 10 rebounds and swiped seven steals. Bose delivered five assists with four more steals.

Trojans drop a trio

RAVENNA, Neb. — The Cambridge boys will regroup following a tough two Ravenna Holiday Tournament games this week.

Anselmo-Merna earned its first win this season, 57-37, over the Trojans on Tuesday after Cambridge lost 61-37 to host Ravenna Monday evening.

The Trojans also fell 62-22 at Loomis last weekend though junior Cole Fiene scored 12 points.

Bridgeport 57, Chase County 43

BRIDGEPORT, Neb. — The Chase County boys took a 15-11 lead before unbeaten Bridgeport (7-0 record) rallied to this Tuesday night victory.

Chase County will bring a 2-4 record out of Christmas break.