Special events on tap at MCC games vs. N.P. Jan. 29

Steve Kodad/McCook Daily Gazette Members of the McCook Community College men's basketball team celebrate after Tony Dobbinson (3, left) hit a three-quarter court shot at the final buzzer to tie the score and send the Jan. 25 game against Lamar (Colo.) C.C. into overtime. Dobbinson was mobbed by teammates Dominique McKinzie (behind Dobbinson), Anthony Easter (23), Antwuan Boyd (21) and Akeme Smart (53) after his shot swished through the net and ignited the home crowd at the MCC Events Center. McCook and Lamar went two extra periods, but unfortunately the Colorado squad prevailed 105-103.

The MCC Events Center will be the hub of the local basketball universe Tuesday, Jan. 29, as the McCook Community College teams tangle with their biggest and closest rivals.

A list of special events are planned in addition to the basketball action on the MCC Events Center floor when the Indians and Lady Indians host North Platte Community College in a double-header. The MCC women and North Platte will open at 5:30 p.m., followed by the McCook men and North Platte at approximately 7:30 p.m.

The local two-year college and the MCC Booster Club will sponsor several special events during Tuesday's games, and MCC officials are hoping for a big crowd to help cheer on the McCook squads against North Platte.

Steve Kodad/McCook Daily Gazette Tiffani Lewis (21) of McCook Community College looks to shoot against Lamar C.C. Jan. 25 in college basketball action at the MCC Events Center. The McCook women claimed a 73-65 win over Lamar (Colo.) C.C.

Major donors to the MCC athletic teams have been invited to attend Tuesday's games as part of Dream Team & Banner Club Recognition Night. The MCC athletic supporters will be honored at the MCC Events Center.

Basketball fans in attendance Tuesday can also enjoy free popcorn as part of the McCook Optimist Club Night. The local Optimist organization will provide free popcorn to fans during both games.

McCook High School Senior Night will also be held Tuesday. Members of the McCook High School Class of 2013 are invited to attend the MCC-North Platte C.C. games free of charge with presentation of their high school ID.

Steve Kodad/McCook Daily Gazette McCook Community College 7-foot center Akeme Smart (front) and Preston Rayburn of Lamar (Colo.) C.C. battle for a rebound during men's college basketball action Jan. 25 at the MCC Events Center. The McCook men and women host North Platte C.C. Tuesday, Jan. 29.

THE LADY INDIANS are currently tied with Eastern Wyoming College for second place in the Region IX Division I South Sub-Region standings. MCC and Eastern Wyoming are both 4-3 in sub-region play. Western Nebraska C.C. of Scottsbluff leads the sub-region with a 5-0 record.

Tuesday's action against North Platte will be two big games for the MCC squads. There's southwest Nebraska bragging rights at stake between the two Mid-Plains Community College system's campuses.

MCC OFFICIALS are hoping local and area fans will come to the MCC Events Center and help cheer on the McCook squads.

"Nothing's better than a big, loud atmosphere that's cheering for you," said MCC women's interim head coach Kylee Rinehart. Rinehart said the MCC student body have been strong, vocal supporters of the MCC teams at the Events Center, and the McCook men and women are hoping for more of the same Tuesday night.

The lady Indians are fighting injuries and the flu bug. Despite those problems, Coach Rinehart's team picked up a big win last Friday over Lamar (Colo.) C.C. last Friday to move into second place in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division I Region IX South Sub-Division standings.

Western Nebraska Community College leads the women's sub-region standings with a 5-0 record. MCC and Eastern Wyoming College are currently tied for second at 4-3. The South Sub-Region regular season champion will host the Region IX Tournament in March.

The McCook women are one of the top teams in Region IX with a 16-4 overall record.

The North Platte women compete in the NJCAA Division II. The Lady Knights are 12-8 overall.

THE McCOOK C.C. men are 1-8 in Region IX South Sub-Region action, and 5-14 overall. The North Platte men also complete in NJCAA Division I basketball, and the Knights currently lead the South Sub-Region with a 5-2 record, 15-4 overall.

MCC head coach Brandon Lenhart's team lost a heart-breaking 105-103 double-overtime decision last Friday to Lamar (Colo.) C.C. Freshman Tony Dobbinson added some excitement when he hit a three-quarter court shot at the end of regulation that sent the game into overtime. A video of Dobbinson's shot can be viewed on the McCook Community College Booster Club's page on Facebook.

The McCook men also dropped an 82-70 decision to Laramie County (Wyo.) C.C. Saturday evening.