McCook boys knock out Haymakers for first title

Bison power was at full force again Thursday night with McCook High's boys beating Cozad to close their regular season.

R.B. Headley/McCook Gazette

COZAD, Neb. — McCook’s 56-48 win over Cozad Thursday night was perhaps a fitting finale to the boys’ historic first Southwest Conference regular-season title.

It was a grind.

The Bison fell behind 6-0, only led 10-9 after one quarter and were tied 21-21 at halftime.

There were more peaks and valleys just like the long regular season which tipped off Dec. 3.

Weather also played a factor as in Cozad all-SWC shooter Jacob Weatherly, who zipped 20 points through the nets during his final Haymaker home game.

The hosts still led during quarter three thanks to some bulls-eye Bison shots somehow bouncing out.

Yet with a tenacity needed to conquer this 24-game grind, the Bison kept battling and made enough plays for their 18th win (18-6 record).

Teamwork again stepped up to finish a team championship.

Senior Josh Hegwood drove into the lane, floated like that recent Chris Paul commercial and found classmate Cole Cappel for two big points.

Hegwood’s free throws gave McCook its 28-27 lead before junior Evan Humphrey continued his Class B-leading outside shooting.

A Humphrey deep splash put McCook in front by four, then he cut loose another dagger that barely beat the third-quarter buzzer.

The Bison were suddenly in front, 38-32.

However, a regular-season title can never be too easy. It takes more than getting hot two or three games and winning a tournament.

Cozad (11-2) cut the Bison margin to four points twice during the fourth quarter.

Even after Hegwood’s two driving baskets and senior Cam Werkmeister’s perfect turnaround jump shot, the Haymakers only trailed 49-45.

Freshman Noah Shoemaker did his best to start a flood of late Cozad heroics. He hit some clutch shots including one final triple at the 1:25 mark.

The Bison responded with more high-level teamwork. They broke a Haymaker trap and senior Brendan Gillen scored while being fouled.

Gillen had already given McCook enough points to win at 51-45, but he added one more clutch free throw.

Humphrey’s two free throws reminded Bison fans of McCook’s 22-for-22 effort against Ogallala two weeks ago.

One more Hegwood layup and a Humphrey steal finished the final win before next week’s subdistricts at McCook.

No individual stats were obtained at today’s Gazette press deadline.

Watch for more at mccookgazette.com.