Bison boys can't break Panhandle weekend visitors

McCook senior Jonathan Patel drew plenty of attention from the Gering Bulldogs Friday night on this play.

R.B. Headley/McCook Gazette

McCOOK, Neb. — McCook’s move from Friday to Saturday showed why these Bison boys are still focused on being a potential post-season threat.

The Bison (8-12 record) took a tough 67-49 loss against Gering Friday even though sophomore Bryson Gullion made six threee-pointers in 11 attempts.

Gering improved to 8-12 on the season behind more than any opponent had scored vs. McCook this season: Uriah Ybarra’s 32 points.

Yet on Saturday against a traditional tough Scottsbluff opponent, McCook kept fighting and nearly rallied against those 13-10 Bearcats.

Scottsbluff held on for a 59-52 win but coach Joe Imus saw some highlights.

“If we keep playing with enthusiasm and effort like Saturday, we won’t be an easy out,” he remarked during the post-game interview.

Sophomore Miles Pollmann delivered a solid weekend with 14 points on Friday and 13 against Scottsbluff Saturday.

Other younger Bison continued stepping up like sophomore guard Brody Grahm. He totaled eight rebounds, seven assists and two steals friday besides blocking a Gering shot.

McCook will wait now until subdistrict pairings are announced, but the Bison will likely seeing another western Nebraska oppponent.

Gering 67, McCook 49

BISON (8-11) — Bryson Gullion 18 points, Miles Pollmann 13, Tripp Raile 7, Josiah Wilkinson 5, Kaiden Porter 3, Oliver Corbett 2, Brody Graham 1. Three-pointers: Bryson Gullion 6, Wilkinson.

Rebound leaders: Brody Graham 8, Raile 6, Jonathan Patel 5, Pollmann 4. Assists: Brody Graham 7, Raile 2. Steals: Brody Graham 2. Blocked shots: Patel, Porter, Graham.

BULLDOGS (8-12) — Uriah Ybarra unloaded 32 points at McCook High and Jackson Howard also led Gering with 17 points.

Scottsbluff 59, McCook 52

BISON (8-12) — Miles Pollmann 14 points, Bryson Gullion 9, Andrew Pochop 8, Brody Graham 8, Andrew Pochop 6, Tripp Raile 6, Jonthan Patel 6, Kaiden Porter 1. Three-pointers: Bryson Gullion 3, Graham, Patel.

Rebound leaders: Kaiden Porter 12, Graham 8. Assists: Brody Graham 4. Steals: Bryson Gullion 3, Raile 2. Blocked shot: Andrew Pochop 1.

BEARCATS (13-9) — Nate Kelley scored 14 points, Rylee Meininger 13 and Esai Salbala 10.