Falcons fight off 'Riders

TRENTON, Neb. -- Senior Matt Rippen scored 24 of his 26 points after halftime while leading a "Seniors Night" for Hitchcock County that didn't need all the pre-game fanfare.

The official celebration will arrive later this season, but it was seniors who starred throughout a 66-62 Falcon victory over Southwest.

"Our seniors really stepped up tonight," coach Mike Tines remarked as all 66 points came from -- you guessed it -- Hitchcock seniors.

Rippen, Nic McConnell, Will Kisker and Cole Bingham all hit double digits to follow up Hitchcock's championship at the Brady Holiday Tournament last weekend.

Dylan Propp drilled one three-pointer -- huge since hit helped the Falcons erase a nine-point Southwest halftime lead.

The Roughriders (4-5) led by eight through just one quarter behind Drew Hofman's barrage.

Hoffman netted five in the first quarter another 10 points before halftime while putting Southwest ahead 35-26.

"We dug ourselves a hole in the first quarter but the kids battled back," Tines confirmed. "This was a big win against a very good Southwest team."

A 21-13 third quarter featured Rippen scoring 12 points and Kisker adding seven.

Another dozen from Rippen during the final eight minutes helped the Falcons (5-4 record overall) secure their third consecutive win.

Complete scoring summaries for both teams Tuesday night:

HITCHCOCK COUNTY (66) -- Matt Rippen 26 points, Nic McConnell 14, Will Kisker 13, Cole Bingham 10, Dylan Propp 3. Three-pionters: Rippen 5, McConnell 4, Bingham, Propp.

SOUTHWEST (62) -- Drew Hofman 23 points, Derek Greenlee 17, Alec May 7, Connor McConville 6, Blake Williams 3. Three-pointers: Hofman 4, Greenlee.