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Bison boys seek continued momentum
Head coach Tim Garcia would like to get the McCook High School basketball bus rolling downhill this weekend.
Coach Garcia is looking for his Bison boys team to gain some momentum with games at Hershey Friday, Jan. 8, and Sidney at home Saturday, Jan. 9.
Friday's action at Hershey opens with the junior varsity contest at 4:30 p.m. at the Hershey High School auxiliary gym. The varsity boys will square off at approximately 7:45 p.m. at Hershey's main gym following the McCook-Hershey varsity girls game.
Saturday's home tests -- a rare home date for the Bison -- start with JV boys game at 4 p.m. at the Junior High gym. The McCook and Sidney boys will tip-off at approximately 7:30 p.m. in the Senior High gym following the Bison girls and Sidney varsity contest.
McCook brings a 6-4 record into the weekend, including two losses and a sixth-place finish at the Greater Nebraska Athletic Confernence Tournament Dec. 29-31 in North Platte. Hershey, a Class C-1 squad, is 2-6, while Sidney is one of the top Class B squads in the state with a 5-3 mark.
One game at a time
Garcia wouldn't call the weekend action make-or-break games for his Bison, as he coaches with a one-game-at-a-time mentality. The McCook coach hopes his team can build momentum and continue to improve after a double-digit win at Phillipsburg, Kan., last Tuesday.
"One thing we'd really like to do is, we'd like to go on a nice run here," Garcia said. "I think every game that we play here this week and into next week, I think they're winnable games for us. I think if we go out and execute, do the things we need to do, they are games that we should be able to put ourselves in position to win. That being said, it's not because our opponents are weak, it's just because I think they are well-matched teams.
"But it's not a make-or-break situation. We're taking it one game at a time. That's what we're talking about is one game at a time. We've got to take care of each team on each given night. But it would be nice to get out and get a nice run going into the Orange and Black Tournament in a couple weeks in Colby (Jan. 21-23).
"Again, not make or break, but most definitely every single game is important and we approach every single game like that. If you want to be a championship team, you have to learn to approach every single game like it's a championship game. That's what we're working on doing right now, is approaching every game with that type of seriousness, that type of mentality."
Deceiving Hershey record
Hershey's 2-6 record is deceiving, Garcia said. The Panthers have lost three straight games to Class B foes (Ogallala 50-33, Holdrege 46-39 and Gering 54-45).
"Hershey, when you look at their scores, they've played a lot of teams very well, and they've continued to improve all year long," Garcia said. "What's deceptive about Hershey is they have a nice inside-out game."
Garcia said the Panthers have a veteran team, with many players having several years of varsity experience under their belts. Hershey will match McCook's height and the Panthers have strong perimeter shooting, Garcia said.
"We can't overlook them by any means," Garcia said. "We have to go over there and force our will on them defensively. We need to make sure we're the most physical team they've played defensively. We have to make sure we're moving the ball on offense and hitting our open shots."
Stern test Saturday vs. Red Raiders
Sidney is one of the top programs in the state's Class B ranks, Garcia said. The Red Raiders have lost to 6-1 Torrington, Wyo. (53-46), 4-4 Alliance (53-47) and 7-1 Beatrice (54-41). Sidney is coming off a 66-38 win over host Grand Island Northwest in holiday tournament action Dec. 30.
"They are one of the best-coached programs in the state, all classes," Garcia said, "and on top of that they usually have some pretty darn athletic kids. The Rosenbaum kid is 6-7, wide shoulders, extremely athletic. He shoots the ball very well with either hand. He can jump very well, and he's very physical. He's always been surrounded by perimeter players that can shoot the 3-pointers."
Garcia expects tough, solid man-to-man defense from Hershey, while the Red Raiders almost always use a 1-3-1 or 2-3 zone defense.
"Sidney will try to force you to become impatient and turn the ball over, and then they can capitalize on those turnovers," Garcia said.
Fantastic fan following
The McCook said the crowd support for his team has been great so far this season, and he's hoping for the same this weekend -- especially with the home contest Saturday night.
"Our fans have been following us well," he said. "When we went to North Platte (GNAC) we had probably the biggest traveling crowd we've had in five years following our team. Our fans have been doing a nice job.