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Bison go cold and E-N Wolves roar into state tourney
ELKHORN, Neb. — Trailing just 37-30 deep into Monday’s third quarter, the McCook boys saw Class B No. 5 Elkhorn North unleash two decisive late runs to finish a 72-45 district finals victory.
McCook actually has matched North’s 18 wins this season, but those Wolves broke away for a Class B state tourney spot.
“Had a ton of great looks, but wasn’t good timing to have a bad shooting night,” Bison coach Joe Imus said.
McCook (18-8 final record) actually stayed close despite E.N. junior Kellen Murphy scoring most of his 28 points before halftime.
Murphy’s first long three was answered with senior Bryson Gullion hitting a triple to make it 7-5.
When Murphy hit again, sophomore Mason West made his first long-distance delivery and the Bison only trailed 15-11.
Gullion soon went deep with baseball season drawing near and McCook was only down 18-14.
The Bison were almost closer only to see a successful diving steal and Wolves basket make it 20-14 through that first frame.
Elkhorn North threatened at pulling away, taking 28-16 and 30-18 advantages while unfortunate foul trouble hit the Bison again.
McCook 6’7” senior Oliver Corbett was whistled three times for infractions — though he did return to make two late baskets in his final high school game.
Junior Tripp Raile’s driving basket started a Bison mini-rally before intermission.
Senior Trey Tiller’s rebound and bank shot brought the Bison within 30-22.
Tiller soon hit a baseline three-pointer to answer another Wolves salvo, keeping McCook’s margin at 33-25.
The football center/slash shooting guard Tiller eventually totaled a Bison-best 19 points.
Once again, McCook had one more shot to move within six or even five with seconds left in this opening half.
Again, Elkhorn North stole the basketball on an attempted Bison spin move to the hoop and turned into a layup that beat the buzzer.
Tiller’s next trifecta opened the second half as McCook was again only down 35-28.
However, the Wolves finally took off on a 10-0 run and — allowing two Tiller free throws — up 15 -2 to lead 62-34.
The Bison only totaled seven third-quarter points until Corbett’s layup made it 63-36.
Tiller’s final triple and a driving West basket capped McCook’s scoring for the season while Elkhorn North celebrated its 72-45 victory.
McCook’s 18-8 season was still one of its behind a 20-7 run with coach Imus in 2021-22.
Besides Tiller’s 19, West netted 11 to cap his first varsity hoops season.
Gullion totaled six with his two three-point shots to cap a memorable year where he hit 12 in one game earlier for the new school mark.
Tripp Raile and Corbett totaled four points while senior Brody Graham tossed in two.