Photos/Sandra Johnson

A streak that goes back to before most of the current Tiger roster was even in school ended last weekend as NCHS failed to qualify for state for the first time since 1997. The first game against Tongue River had Lusk trying to figure out the East conference’s top two leading scorers. It wasn’t Patrick Wicks and Stephen Yellowtail that had Lusk in trouble, it was Irwin Falls Down. Falls Down twisted the NCHS defense around for 15 first half points as the Eagles opened a lead the Tigers could never overcome. Two minutes before halftime TR had a 27- 13 lead and everything they threw up went in the hoop. NCHS on the other hand was not shooting very well and down 30-18 at the midway point.

Ryan Prather hit a pair of three pointers in the third to bring NCHS within 41-32, but Yellowtail made sure Lusk was not going to win, as he scored 13 of his 17 points in the second half. Tongue River cruised into the semifinals with the 56-38 win.

NCHS Scoring- Prather 11, Dakota Castle 8, Trent Johnson 6, Michael Coon 6, Charles Kleinberg 3, Jerit DeGering 2, Andrew Niziol 2. Rebounds- Coon 5. Steals- Johnson 3.

NCHS: 14/41 FG, 1/6 FT, 3/13 3pt, 41 REB, 20 To, 15 PF.

TONGUE RIVER: 19/40 FG, 6/15 FT, 4/10 3pt, 32 REB, 14 TO, 7 PF.

The next day NCHS had an elimination game against Lingle-Ft. Laramie and when Jerit DeGering’s first three point attempt found the bottom of the net, it was apparent the Tigers would shoot a little better than the night before. Prather hit three triples in the first quarter, yet the Doggers kept up and the score was just 19-16 after one period.

A little defensive pressure for Lusk forced LFL into seven second quarter turnovers and a 30-19 NCHS lead at the half. The lead was not safe as foul trouble mounted for the Tigers.

Lusk kept the pressure on in the third quarter after Prather’s fourth triple of the game made it 40-24. The Doggers found themselves in a bit of foul trouble finally and were down 43-25 after three.

Zach Gill hit a 15-footer early in the final period to open a 20 point lead for Lusk, and the Tigers made most of their free throw attempts count. Just two turnovers in the fourth helped secure another game for NCHS with the 61-42 win.

NCHS Scoring- Johnson 14, Prather 14, Coon 13, DeGering 9, Gill 6, Kleinberg 3 Thomas Mason 2. Rebounds- Johnson 11, Coon 9. Assist- Johnson 4. Steals- Johnson 3.

NCHS: 14/37 FG, 15/26 FT, 6/14 3pt, 43 REB, 16 TO, 22 PF.

LFL: 12/36 FG, 12/29 FT, 2/12 3pt, 38 REB, 20 TO, 18 PF.

Winning against LFL secured the Tigers a matchup with Moorcroft and a trip to Casper guaranteed for the winner. The Wolves were coming off a humiliating loss to Southeast the night before and determined to erase that memory quickly.

DeGering hit an early triple, but the Wolves were quicker to the ball and basket. The lead was just 15-13 Moorcroft after one but the Tigers were not as good as the day before. Prather hit a triple to tie the game at 18 but NCHS gave up eight straight before a late bucket made it 26-20 at the half. Foul trouble was mounting for Lusk and the Wolves didn’t want to let one slip away like the matchup in January.

Lusk continued to get outhustled to loose balls and rebounds as the second half progressed. Moorcroft led 44-31 after three quarters and appeared headed to state.

Lusk didn’t go away quietly as Prather hit a triple to cut the lead to 46-39 and Charles Kleinberg’s layup cut the deficit to six with 56 seconds left. Moorcroft made their free throws count down the stretch and ended the Tigers season in the 57-45 final.

Lusk finishes the season with a 14-11 record and only the sixth time since 1986 the Tigers will not compete at state. This is the first time since the 1984-85 school year that neither NCHS basketball team will be represented at the state championships.

NCHS Scoring- Prather 12, Kleinberg 9, Johnson 8, Coon 6, Castle 4, DeGering 3, Niziol 2, Gill 1. Rebounds- Johnson 11, Coon 7. Assists- Johnson 6, Prather 3. Steals- Coon 3.

NCHS: 15/40 FG, 6/12 FT, 3/16 3pt, 34 REB, 15 TO, 21 PF.

MOORCROFT: 18/38 FG, 15/22 FT, 2/12 3pt, 40 REB, 16 TO, 13 PF.



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

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