Burwell downs DC-S boys for third in D-1

Wauneta-Palisade basketball girls and fans were cheering on Dundy County-Stratton's boys during the Class D-1 state tournament in Lincoln this week. The Broncos delivered their own excellent 18-6 season which reached the Class D-2 district finals.

R.B. Headley/McCook Gazette

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Burwell boys basketball team jumped out to an early lead Thursday on their way to a 58-44 victory over Dundy County-Stratton in the Class D1 third-place game.

The Longhorns led nearly the entire game, pushing the margin to as many as 15 points in the first half despite foul trouble.

DC-S had already set a new single-season school record with 24 wins.

The Tigers (24-5 final record) fell behind 33-22 by halftime largely because of Burwell’s 16-9 second period.

Coach Kris Freeland’s boys rallied in a rematch between schools where DC-S beat Burwell for the 2020 D-1 state football championship.

Sophomore Jackson Kerchal scored five of his nine points in the third period while seniors Mark Nelms, Nolan Burrell, Cheve Lutz and Quade Myers each hit one basket.

Junior Corbin Horner added a free throw but the Tigers only outscored Burwell, 14-13, to close within 46-36 entering those final eight minutes.

Myers and Burrell both added four more points, but no other Tiger scored as Burwell captured its 25th victory this season (25-4).

The Longhorns also earned their highest boys’ basketball state finish since 2009.

Overall, eight Tigers tallied points during this season finale.

The complete DC-S scoring summary: Nolan Burrell 11 points, Quade Myers 11, Jackson Kerchal 9, Cheve Lutz 4, Andrew Englot 4, Mark Nelms 2, Alex Englot 2, Corbin Horner 1.

The Tigers did not hit a three-pointer.

All three Burwell seniors played well in their final games as Dillon Critel scored a game 15 points, Hans Gideon added 12 points and Carter Mann posted 13 points and 10 rebounds.

The Tigers finished another strong season by reaching their first state basketball tournament since 2017.

They beat Mead, 48-44, in Monday’s quarterfinals for their first state win as DC-S.