Tigers, Raiders reach district finals for state tourney shots

BENKELMAN, Neb. — The Dundy County-Stratton Tigers took charge with defense of their 63-42 victory over Hitchcock County in Thursday’s D1-11 subdistrict title game.

Hitchcock (14-10 final record) took a 16-9 lead largely based on three bombs outside the arc from Mason Schilke.

Yet the Tigers (21-4) quickly calmed down this contest and began taking control.

Senior Alex Englot lit up the nets while withstanding Falcon senior Trent Kisker’s 24 points.

“Alex played like he was possessed. He had some highlight-reel plays,” coach Kris Freeland proclaimed. “And Corbin Horner held Drew Scott, arguably one of our (RPAC) league’s best athletes, to nothing.”

Schilke finished with nine points for Hitchcock.

No individual stats were obtained about the Tigers. More will be featured as they advance into next week’s district finals.

Raiders win

WALLACE, Neb. —Medicine Valley’s amazing basketball post-season continued with the boys’ 55-48 win over Wallace in D2-9 subdistrict finals action Thursday evening.

The Raiders (6-16) record are one win from a state playoff game. They were 1-10 following their loss to Cambridge about one month ago but have scored five big wins since.

Med Valley will play in a district final to be announced next week, likely Monday or Tuesday.

Seniors Joe Brown, Kamreyn Bonini, Kellen Cole and junior Austin Roblee have been fueling this late-season Raider run.

The Med Valley girls (13-9) are also playing for a D-2 state tourney spot tonight at No. 2-seed Shelton.

Wallace was led by Trey Robertson and Matt Lungrin, who each posted 14 points. Masen Messersmith also had 10 for the Wildcats.

Wallace came into the season needing to replace their top two scorers from last year, Kolton Hager and Camden McConnell. The Wildcats struggled to begin the season, losing their first five games. But Wallace came on strong at the end of the season winning five of the last eight games and earned home-court advantage for sub-districts.

The Wildcats graduate two starters in Robertson and Kyler Flaming. But Wallace should be able to build around the players who helped them finish strong this year like Lungrin, Messersmith and Riley Strawder.

Meanwhile, Southern Valley’s playoff surge ended with a subdistrict finals loss to Loomis Thursday evening.

The Eagles (11-11) had scored two big wins this week including a victory over No. 1 seed and host Bertrand Tuesday night.