Cards, Falcons reach district title games

Caleb Wall, an assistant coach at Eustis-Farnam, huddles up with the Knights' squad during a timeout. Wall is a 2000 McCook High School graduate and a high hurdler. (Connie Jo Discoe/mcCook Daily Gazette)

GOTHENBURG -- The Hayes Center Cardinal boys basketball team fought 
off Eustis-Farnam 67-56 Thursday night to win the Nebraska Class 
D1-11 sub-district championship at Gothenburg.


The Cardinals, who improved to 21-1, will play Hay Springs Tuesday in the Class D1-6 championship.

The game will be played at 7 p.m. central time/6 p.m. mountain time at the Creek Valley High School gym in Chappell.

The winner advances to the 
Class D1 state tournament March 6-8 at Lincoln.


Hay Springs defeated Banner County 65-51 in the Class D1-12 sub-
district final at Mitchell Thursday.


Hayes Center led at halftime 37-26, but the Knights closed the gap 
with an 18-12 third quarter. The Cardinals returned the favor by 
winning the final frame 18-12.


Levi Tyan and Matt Gohl led the Cardinals with 12 points each. Justin 
Huss and Tyler Clifford each scored 9 and Jake Rowley 8.
Gohl also pulled down 14 rebounds to complete a "double-double." 


Rowley had 7 boards and Tyan 6. Huss had 4 assists and Rowley 3; Gohl 
had 4 steals and Clifford 3.


"Tonight's game was a good test for us going up against a Eustis-Farnam team that was playing their best games of the season," said 
Hayes Center coach Louis Cuellar. "We were able to establish our 
defense early, but had a couple mental breakdowns in the third 
quarter, but were able to fight through and win a big game. Now we 
get the opportunity to play for a district championship and I 
couldn't be prouder of this team."


Drew Wetovick led the Knights, who finished the season with a 12-8 
record, with 15 points. Weston Keller scored 14. Wesley Edson and 
Derek Williams each scored 8.
Wetovick had 7 rebounds, Keller 5 and Williams 2.

Wetovick had 4 
blocks and Williams 3. Keller added 5 assists and 6 steals.


"Hayes Center is a very balanced ball club," said Eustis-Farnam boys 
coach Bobby Johnson. "They dominated the rebounding totals, 
collecting 23 on the offensive end. The end of a basketball season is 
always extremely difficult because it ends with a loss. However, it 
builds a lot of character knowing that you played a full game with 
passion. This was probably the best game we've played all season.


"Weston Keller put on another All-Star performance. He has completely 
performed above his opponents in all facets of the game. It will 
difficult to replace him next year. Derek Williams worked extremely 
hard these last two games. Drew Wetovick has two more seasons left."



Hayes Center: Levi Tyan 12, Matt Gohl 12, Huss 9, T. Clifford 9, 
Rowley 8, L. Clifford 7, Messersmith 5, Strasburg 5.


Eustis-Farnam: Drew Wetovick 15, Weston Keller 14, Edson 8, Williams 
8, Rupe 6, Kugler 3, Bellamy 2.

Hitchcock County

downs Wallace

HERSHEY -- The Hitchcock County boys basketball team defeated Wallace 48-39 in the Class D2-10 sub-district championship game Thursday night at Hershey.

The Falcons improved to 22-4 and advance to the Class D2-5 district final Tuesday against Pleasanton.

The game will be played at the Southern Valley High School gymnasium at 7 p.m.

Pleasanton blasted Sumner-Eddyville-Miller 74-47 in the Class D2-9 sub-district title game Thursday at Ravenna.

Sam Matson poured in 21 points for the victorious Falcons. Austin Renfro added 14 and Ryne Thompson 7.

Kameron Hubbard led the Wildcats with 15 points. Brett Christensen added 9.

Hitchcock County made 19-of-36 free throws compared to 8-of-17 for the Wildcats.

The Falcons jumped out to a 17-6 lead in the first quarter, but the Wildcats closed within 25-21 at halftime.

"This was a very big win for our team," said Hitchcock County coach Mike Tines. "The boys came out focused and we had a very good first quarter.

"We continued to be aggressive on offense and our defense once again came through huge.

"We are looking forward to the opportunity to play Pleasanton in the district championship game.

"The kids have worked very hard for this opportunity and I am very proud of them.

"The towns of Culbertson, Trenton and Stratton should be very proud of this group of young men. They have represented Hitchcock County very well."

Wallace finished the season with a 16-5 record.

Hitchcock County: Sam Matson 21, Kershaw 1, Thompson 7, Riggs 4, Nelson 1, Austin Renfro 14.

Wallace: Smith 5, Hasenauer 2, Christner 2, Kameron Hubbard 15, May 3, Christensen 9, Clough 3.