Stories from Monday, July 12, 2021

HASTINGS, Neb. — McCook Rebels were relentless as the 14-and-under softball girls rallied to beat Polk County twice and capture their Class C state fast pitch summer championship Sunday evening. More details will be featured in Tuesday's McCook Gazette...

McCook National Bank Seniors celebrate a 10-9 win tonight over Smith Center, Kan., as Quentin Terry arrives at home after crushing the decisive two-run homer. The Seniors responded brilliantly after Smith Center had scored four runs in their seventh (below) to erase MNB's 8-5 lead. McCook is hosting a second game with S.C. and Hays, Kan., will visit for another 5 p.m. doubleheader on Wednesday. Watch for more details in Tuesday's Gazette...

GOTHENBURG, Neb. — Gothenburg's Eathan Olson pitched a one-hitter and the Melons plated eight unearned runs during their 9-0 win over McCook First Central Bank Juniors Sunday afternoon. McCook's second B-6 area tournament defeat ends the Juniors' season at 7-16...

LINCOLN, Neb. – Big Ten Player of the Year Spencer Schwellenbach heard his named called Monday afternoon during the second round of the 2021 MLB Draft when he was taken 59th overall by the Atlanta Braves. Since 2015, the Huskers have had four players taken in the first 10 rounds of the Draft, including Schwellenbach (2nd – Atlanta in 2021), Scott Schreiber (9th – Tampa Bay in 2018), Ryan Boldt (2nd – Tampa Bay in 2016) and Tanner Lubach (9th – Anaheim in 2015)...

Albert Fredrick Zuege, Jr. Feb. 28, 1944 - July 6, 2021 IMPERIAL, Neb. — Albert (Al) Fredrick Zuege, Jr. of Imperial, passed away on July 6, 2021, at the Kearney Regional Medical Center in Kearney, Neb. Albert was born on Feb. 28, 1944, in Santa Monica, Calif., to Albert (Sr.) and Sophia (Keller) Zuege...

Jim McKinney Aug. 23, 1948 - June 29, 2021 WAUNETA, Neb. — Jim Stewart McKinney, loving husband, father and grandpa, was born Aug. 23, 1948, in Sidney, Neb., to Paul and Virginia McKinney. Jim grew up and attended school in Dix, Neb., and graduated from Dix High School in 1966. He went on to further his education and graduated from Kearney State College in 1970...

MILWAUKEE (AP) — When Giannis Antetokounmpo crashed to the court just two weeks ago with what appeared to be a serious knee injury, there was no guarantee he’d be back this season. Maybe, he feared, he might even miss a year. Antetokounmpo refused to stay down...

LEXINGTON, Neb. — Despite smashing two long balls and 14 hits overall, McCook National Bank’s Seniors fell two runs short in a 10-8 loss at Lexington Friday. Alex Anthony launched his second home run of the season while Adam Dugger lined a two-run shot over that Lexington fence...