McCook boys fire in shots to stop Chants, 65-48

McCook senior Cole Cappel rose to the challenge and scored 23 points during the Bison boys’ victory over Ord in Wednesday’s Sidney Cabela’s Holiday Tournament third-place game. The Bison are 7-2 overall.

Tami Pochop/For The Gazette

SIDNEY, Neb. — McCook’s boys made the best of being one last-second shot from playing for a tournament championship this week.

The Bison (7-2 record) brilliantly shook off a 49-48 loss to unbeaten Gordon-Rushville Tuesday afternoon.

On Wednesday, junior Evan Humphrey hit six three-point shots and senior Cole Cappel ruled both inside-outside during a 65-48 Bison beatdown of Ord.

Cappel tallied 23 points — according to available stats — and McCook took home third place from this three-day, eight-team Cabela’s Holiday Classic.

The Ord Chanticleers (2-7 record) certainly kept pace during a close first half.

Senior Blake Hinrichs buried four triples in the first quarter alone.

However, Humphrey matched that barrage while helping the Bison build a 34-30 halftime advantage. They only allowed 18 Ord points following the break.

On Tuesday, McCook showed great spirit while erasing a 14-point deficit against Gordon-Rushville.

Junior Jacob Gomez-Wilson’s defense helped spark the rally which featured huge sots from several Bison.

Tied 47-47, Cappel blocked a shot and Humphrey was fouled retrieving the loose ball.

He made one free throw, but that second rimmed out with 5.8 seconds left. Mustang junior Ellis Livingston dashed to make the final shot before that last buzzer sounded.

Yet G-R lost Wednesday’s title game to Sidney, 51-45, which ended the unbeaten 8-0 start.

McCOOK (7-2) — Evan Humphrey 24 points, Cole Cappel 23, Adam Dugger 10, Jacob Gomez-Wilson 2, Josh Hegwood 2, Cam Werkmeister 2, Brendan Gillen 2. Three-pointers: Humphrey 6.

Both Bison teams return to action at Broken Bow Tuesday evening.