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Bison put a Bow on early victory list
McCOOK, Neb. — McCook’s basketball boys will never match the amazing court success coach Jeremy Yilk enjoyed in South Carolina last week.
“When my wife and I were dating, we always joked about how we wanted our own basketball team,” Yilk proclaimed following their adoption of a fourth young family member. “It was tough to leave, but South Carolina required for us to finalize the adoption in person. The (Bison) guys know family always comes first.”
“It was more a celebration than anything,” he added. “And it’s great to be back.”
Back for one of the best McCook home-court celebrations after edging Broken Bow, 50-48, Thursday night.
The Bison showed every youngster in their packed gymnasium how to share a basketball during pressure-packed moments.
Trailing by eight as the final quarter began, McCook rallied and took a lead — only to fall behind again at 46-45.
No problem. Just go back to what the Bison knew could work all game long.
“Whether we were down two or up one, our plan was to work the ball inside out,” Yilk explained.
Sure enough, they found senior post DJ Gross inside the paint and Bow defenders moved towards him.
Gross smartly threw the back out where Indians had left McCook’s sharpest shooter surprising open.
Boom! Mockry buried his fourth three-point bomb of the game to give McCook a 48-46 lead.
“James hit some huge shots just like he did last week at Holdrege,” Yilk said about Mockry’s second consecutive 18-point performance. The Bison also edged Holdrege, 45-42, Saturday evening. “He’s found his groove and found his confidence. We’re looking for him to have a great season.”
Mocky made two final free throws, but the fun was far from done.
Bow (5-1 record) delivered its final basket then fouled Mockry with 6.4 seconds remaining.
His final uncontested shot didn’t quite roll through the net — giving Bow more than enough time to race downcourt for a final tying or (oh no!) game-winning shots.
Yet the Indians really never got close. Once again, Bison made a future video for Yilk hoopsters on how to play last-second defense.
“I’d rather it had not been that interesting,” the coach confessed. “But we put pressure on him (the Bow shooter) and made him throw it up kind of early. It made for a tough shot.”
The potential rebound ricocheted around long enough for time to run out.
McCook’s packed gymnasium of fans and players could really celebrate a fantastic home-opening win.
The Bison (4-2 record) played their first five away from home and are already departing today to play a rescheduled game at Valentine.
“What an atmosphere. The crowd was pretty loud tonight,” Yilk confirmed. “Plus there were hardly any clock stops in the first half. It was one of the fastest I’ve seen and our guys were tired. They had to dig deep and show how they’re in good shape.”
McCook’s boys started fast while taking some first-quarter leads.
Not only did Mockry hit two early triples, but senior Seth Dugger made some super driving layups just past Bow defenders.
Gross showed his own great touch inside the paint en route to 13 points.
Dugger joined those top Bison in double figures with 11 points.
“Looking back at North Platte and even Holdrege last week, DJ just wasn’t himself,” Yilk said while referring to an ice-cold start at North Platte where those Bulldogs built a 22-point halftime lead. “I was proud of DJ and how he played tonight.”
All the first-half intensity led to a 25-25 halftime deadlock.
However, Bow seemed to regain control throughout quarter three.
Leader Griffen Wright outscored McCook’s entire team, 8-6, as the Indian margin reached 41-33 with about seven minutes remaining.
Gross (three) and Dugger (three) were the only Bison to tally third-quarter points.
Everything changed after Gross’ next basket made it 41-35.
Mockry and Dugger both connected from beyond the arc another time — plus Mockry made a clean steal underneath McCook’s own basket which set up more points.
Just like that, the Bison were suddenly leading 42-41 and setting up all that late dramatic fun.
“Now we just have to gas up and try to get ready for another win today (at Valentine),” Yilk said.
The Bison and Badgers were originally supposed to play a Nov. 30 season opener — then again on Dec. 1.
Both games were postponed because winter weather hit Nebraska that weekend.
Now the teams will tip today at approximately 4:30 p.m. following a 3 p.m. girls contest.
“They (Valentine) are an improved team that are getting better each game,” Yilk concluded. “It will be another great challenge.”
Watch for results in Monday’s Gazette.
McCOOK (50) — James Mockry 6 2-3 18 points, DJ Gross 6 1-5 13, Seth Dugger 4 1-1 11, Gabe Sehnert 3 0-0 6, Alec Bunger 0 2-2 2. Three-point goals: Mockry 4, Dugger 2.
BROKEN BOW (48) — Griffen Wright scored a game-high 19 points.