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Bison find inside a better place to keep streaking
BROKEN BOW, Neb. — Baby it’s still cold outside as McCook High hit just two more threes than hairs out of place on coach Joe Imus’ head Tuesday night.
“We have good shooters. They just need to see the ball go through the net,” Imus remarked about the two-for-16 effort from long distance in Broken Bow.
Bison defense made the Indians even worse at 1-for-15 in their own house.
And thankfully, McCook soon uncovered its game plan for this first 2024 contest:
You boys get inside if you want to keep streaking!
McCook shot 54 percent from two-point range and an even better 64 (10 for 16) next to the Bow baskets.
It wasn’t always pretty, the game almost resembled an after-holiday game in Mom’s living room where boys are knocking over some furniture.
Yet the Bison assisted on 12 of their 24 baskets while breaking away to a 54-30 Southwest Conference victory.
McCook (7-3 record) has now won six straight since a Topside Tournament semifinal loss vs. Colby, Kan., on Dec. 9.
Leading just 6-4 late in the first quarter, sophomores Brody Graham and Pollmann teamed on that first soaring inside basket which woke up McCook’s offense.
Senior Jon Patel’s two leaping putbacks had given the Bison those early points — though he also was whistled for two early fouls.
Now it was Pollmann’s turn to follow up all those leaping catches during his Bison football season.
He was busy again Tuesday night, making six of nine shots for his team-high 12 points.
“Another game that we had different guys step up,” Imus remarked about eight Bison hitting shots and all 11 varsity players getting into this SWC game. “Miles did a good job of getting the ball in the hoop on a night we were struggling to shoot.”
Pollmann’s next near dunk made it 12-4 before he tracked down a long offensive rebound and spotted Graham this time.
Graham posted low, spun and split through two Indians to score while being fouled.
Freshman Tripp Raile brought more gas for the Bison generator on this chilly, almost-drowsy Tuesday evening.
Bison girls basketball players at least had Pizza Hut for the nightcap and two-hour return journey into McCook.
Raile became pepperoni when his “spicy” corner three-pointer gave McCook a 19-8 lead.
The Bison took a 29-14 margin into halftime.
Bison veterans Mitchel Cole, Josiah Wilkinson, Patel and senior Kaiden Porter picked up the pace after that break.
Wilkinson netted all nine points for him during those final two periods. Cole scored six points and often found teammates with quick, effective passes.
Porter’s driving dish to Cole featured K.P. going right, passing back over his left shoulder to Cole — who quickly attacked that basket and scored.
McCook now led 46-19 and 1-7 Bow was done.
“Defensively, we played really well by applying pressure and getting some fast break points off of turnovers,” Imus concluded. “Moving forward, we have to do a better job of shooting. We are well below 20 percent from three-point range in our last three games.”
Bow hasn’t won since an opening 48-36 triumph over Arcadia-Loup City on Nov. 30.
The Bison will face far greater tests twice this week.
They visit 7-2 Gothenburg Friday evening then return home where Saturday’s “Color Day” game will feature a visit from the 10-0 Sidney Red Raiders.
Opening tip time on Saturday is listed at 5:30 p.m. in McCook High’s gymnasium. Watch for more details.
BISON (7-3) — Miles Pollmann 12 points, Gabe Gans 11, Josiah Wilkinson 9, Tripp Raile 7, Mitchel Cole 6, Jonathan Patel 6, Brody Graham 2, Kaiden Porter 1. Three-pointers: Gans, Raile.
Two-point shooting: 53.7%. Three-point shooting: 12.5%. Free throws: 80%.
Overall field-goal shooting: 42.1%.
Rebound leaders: Jonathan Patel 7, Gans 5, Wilkinson 5, Graham 5, Cole 4. Assists: Brody Graham 4, Cole 3, Porter 2, Wilkinson 2. Steals: Miles Pollmann 3. Blocked shot: Gabe Gans.
INDIANS (1-7) — Bow’s leading scorers were Evan Cyboron and Gavin Carrizales with 6 points each.