The chase is on for Longhorns to make state

Dundy County-Stratton's Nolan Burrell (20) got this driving shot past Chase County defenders like senior Cedric Maxwell (center) Tuesday night. Yet Maxwell and the Longhorns scored a 58-50 victory in this C2-11 subdistrict semifinal at Hershey.

R.B. Headley/McCook Gazette

HERSHEY, Neb. —Chase County’s laser- focused Longhorns only trailed once, 2-0, before running off eight straight points and never looking back Tuesday night.

Nobody’s happier to wave goodbye when graduation arrives than coach Kris Freeland.

“I’m tired of losing to those guys,” Dundy County-Stratton’s basketball leader proclaimed following a 58-50 subdistrict semifinal defeat.

Join the crowd considering these Longhorns (15-8 record) have won five straight subdistrict games running back to 2018.

They prevailed again Tuesday night behind senior sharpshooter Mason Nordhausen’s 19 points, 14 from all-around playmaker Cedric Maxwell and several younger Longhorns stepping up.

Now they’re focused on taking down No. 1 Hershey tonight then finally capturing that elusive district title along with a Class C-2 state tournament spot.

“It’s what we’ve been working with this crew for the last four years,” coach Chris Bartels declared. “Clay (Meeske), Cedric and Mason are seniors and it’s not our first go-around. They know it’s win or go home time.”

Junior Keenan Cole brought the same attitude and hit two early three-pointers.

Sophomore Kade Anderson took an early shot to his own face as a Tiger drove for two points.

Seconds later, Anderson drove in then “kicked” a pass out to senior Jacob German.

German swished a beautiful triple for the 25-14 Longhorn lead.

DC-S (17-5) made a super 12-0 run to close within 43-39 featuring senior Serbando Diaz’s running three that beat the third-quarter buzzer.

Yet they never drew closer.

“We didn’t play our best game,” Freeland concluded. “But I think whoever wins this game (Chase vs. Hershey) will make it to Lincoln.”

CHASE COUNTY (58) — Mason Nordhausen 19 points, Cedric Maxwell 14, Kade Anderson 8, Clay Meeske 6, Keenan Cole 6, Jacob German 3, Tyson Lempke 2. 3-pointers: Nordhausen 3, Meeske, German, Cole.

DC-S (50) — Lincoln Waters 13 points, Nolan Burrell 10, Serbando Diaz 9, Mark Nelms 7, Andrew Englot 6, Alex Englot 3, Corbin Horner 2. 3-pointers: Waters 2, Englot 2, Diaz, Nelms.