Photo/Sandra Johnson

With two wins, the Tiger boy’s basketball team could have made a strong statement in their hopes of a sixth straight SEWAC championship. Southeast came into Friday night’s game 13-0 and ranked second in the wyopreps.com poll, while a Tiger win in Burns would move Lusk to 5-1 with the Cyclones.

The Friday night game in Tiger Gym was fast-paced and both teams were tense at the beginning. Each traded baskets early and NCHS led 13-9 after one quarter.

As with the earlier girl’s game, very few whistles were called and both teams benefitted from the no-calls. The Cyclones edged ahead in the second quarter as Lusk’s offense disappeared again. NCHS managed just three points in the period and found themselves down 19-16 at halftime.

Halftime got a free unexpected show as a last second buzzer beater went over the backboard and snapped a support wire loose. After a few minutes of study and local comment, Head Custodian Johnny Krein and Athletic Director Matt VandeBossche replaced the broken bracket efficiently. The rim was measured good at 10’ and play resumed.

Unfortunately, the ball didn’t want to go in the newly tightened rim for NCHS as the Tigers continued to struggle. The Cyclones got on a run and despite a late Tiger three pointer from Ryan Prather, the home team was down 32-23.

Trent Johnson hit three triples in the final period but it wasn’t enough as the Cyclones held on for the 49-36 win.

NCHS Scoring- Johnson 18, Prather 10, Michael Coon 4, Thomas Mason 2, Jerit DeGering 2. Rebounds- Coon 11, Johnson 8. Assists- Coon 5.

NCHS: 9/31 FG, 3/8 FT, 5/14 3pt, 36 REB, 20 TO, 13 PF.

SE: 18/49 FG, 10/13 FT, 1/9 3pt, 41 REB, 9 TO, 6 PF.

Saturday NCHS had to regroup on a bus rid to Burns but wouldn’t get much help in the traditionally tough gym. The Broncs wasted little time getting the upper hand with a 13-6 lead. Shooting woes and the inability to convert free throws remain a central issue for the Tigers as Burns led 23-14 going into halftime.

The offense came alive a little bit and had the lead down to four after three periods, but NCHS had foul trouble and a hostile crowd to deal with. Lusk outscored the Broncs again in the fourth quarter but it wasn’t enough to overcome in the 40-37 defeat.

With the losses, NCHS is 3-3 in conference play, tied with Burns, while Pine Bluffs is at 2-3 and LFL hangs around at 1-5.

NCHS Scoring- Johnson 12, Coon 9, DeGering 7, Dakota Castle 4, Prather 3, Zach Gill 2. Rebounds- DeGering 5, Castle 5. Assists- Johnson 4.

NCHS: 13/29 FG, 2/6 FT, 3/13 3pt, 31 REB, 13 TO, 20 PF.

BURNS: 13/36 FG, 8/19 FT, 2/14 3pt, 40 REB, 9 TO, 8 PF.

The JV boys won both of their games over the weekend. They defeated Southeast 37-28 and Burns 55-34. The C-squad lost to Glendo on Jan. 26 by a 45-31 score before falling to Burns 48-40.

This Friday the Tigers host Lingle-Ft. Laramie for two games at 4 and 5:30 p.m. Saturday the boys travel to Hot Springs, S.D. for three games starting at 11:30 a.m. and on Feb. 9 Edgemont, S.D. visits for two games starting at 4 p.m.



For the complete article see the 02-03-2010 issue.

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