Hastings Tigers tag McCook Bison

McCook High School senior Trent Lyons (12) tries to drive around the Hastings defense behind a pick by teammate Paul Putz (32). Lyons scored 9 points in the Bison team's 64-48 loss to Hastings Friday night at the MHS gym.

Four-of-15 free throw shooting doesn't win many basketball games.

That, plus a few too many turnovers, spelled a 64-48 defeat for the McCook Bison varsity boys against Hastings Friday night at the MHS gymnasium.

In junior varsity action, McCook fought off the Tigers for a 41-40 victory.

"I love those kids -- they played their hearts out," said McCook co-coach Steve Nicholson.

"They didn't have 32 minutes in them. For about 28 minutes, we played as well as we could. We missed some layups in the end.

"We gave up too many easy buckets and had way too many turnovers. We missed four free throws in the first quarter and that was uncharacteristic of us."

Hastings jumped out to an 18-7 lead in the first quarter. The Bison cut their deficit to 3 points at 27-24, but the Tigers scored the last 6 points of the first half.

Hastings and McCook played just about even in the third quarter, but the Tigers outscored the Bison 16-7 in the fourth frame.

Paul Putz, who scored 29 points in McCook's win over Chase County-Imperial Thursday night, fired in 17 points.

He made two 3-pointers and 3-of-4 free throws.

Putz scored 7 points in the first quarter and 11 in the first half.

Willie Williams added 12, including a pair of 3-pointers. Trent Lyons added 9, Derick Lorentz 6 and Jeremy Young 4.

Brendan Liess, Bobby Gaulke, Tony Purvis, Kyle Bedore and Jordan Bass played but did not score.

Michael Etzelmiller led the Tigers with 24 points, including three 3-pointers.

Etzelmiller scored 11 points in the first quarter and 9 in the fourth quarter.

Andy Williams added 19 points and Jed Kautz 13, including four 3-pointers.

McCook (1-1) will compete in the Goodland Topside Tipoff Classic next Thursday through Saturday (Dec. 11-13).

McCook plays Wray. Colo., at 6 p.m. Thursday.

The McCook girls play at Grand Island Northwest today. The junior varsity game starts at 3:15 p.m., followed by the varsity game at 5 p.m.

The Bison girls play Wray at 8 p.m. Thursday in the first round of the Topside Tipoff Classic.

McCook: Willie Williams 12, Lyons 9, Paul Putz 17, Lorentz 6, Young 4.

Hastings: Jed Kautz 13, Berndt 2, Michael Etzelmiller 24, Andy Williams 19, Carper 2, Krueger 2, Lind 2.

McCook

boys JV 41,

Hastings 40

McCook's Brendan Liess slashed in for a layup with 9 seconds left to give the Bison JV a 41-40 victory over Hastings.

Liess, Tony Purvis and Zack Volquardsen each scored 9 points to pace the Bison.

Jeremy Young added 6, Brian Winder 3, Brandon Crick 2, Joel Arterburn 2, Brian Gaston 2 and Derek Ruppert 1.

Aaron Williams led Hastings with 13 points. Jack Lind added 11 and Bobby Freeman 9.