Scottsbluff starts hot vs. McCook girls

Steve Towery/McCook Gazette McCook senior Faith Hansen returned from injury to score 17 points and lead the Bison girls Thursday night at Scottsbluff. They move on to Gering tonight.

SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. -- Scottsbluff's girls would have been coolly blowing on their pistols if this had been an old west movie Thursday night.

The Bearcats rarely missed during a 28-point first quarter against McCook -- which meant they were on pace to finish with 112!

Not surprisingly, Bison defense tightened and only allowed nine points before halftime.

Senior Faith Hansen sparked a mini-McCook rally in her first game since being injured several weeks ago.

McCook closed within eight points a few times -- only to see Scottsbluff regain control and win 67-53,

"Offensively, we were firing on all cylinders," coach David Bollish about only the fourth Bearcat win all season (4-14 record).

The hosts also avenged a loss to McCook during Great West Activities Conference tournament play in late December.

"I think we are doing a good job of sharing the basketball and converting on steals," Bollish explained.

The Bison (6-12 record) were returning from a terrific two-point win at Ogallala Friday evening.

Their slow start had to be disappointing especially since Scottsbluff scored four more points in the first quarter's final 14 seconds.

Junior Jaden Bryant did her best to keep the Bison within rallying range. She joined Hansen as McCook double-digit scorers (10 points) but foul trouble struck.

In fact, Bryant fouled out just a few moments into the final quarter.

Some calls certainly didn't earn agreement from the Bison or coach Scott Leisy.

Junior Erica Fisher's three-pointer briefly sparked the team. Yet shortly after that shot, a technical foul was called against McCook and two free throws made it 52-36.

The Bison weren't able to get closer than 12 points again.

McCook doesn't have to move on far for tonight's East-West Shootout game at Gering.

Gering (13-7 record) routed the Lexington Minutemaids, 64-38, Thursday evening.

Scoring summaries at Scottsbluff:

McCOOK (53) -- Faith Hansen 17 points, Jaden Bryant 10, Holly Grigg 7, Erika Fisher 7, Emily Arp 5, Bailey Honn 4, Brantleigh Morgan 2, Kyleana Blau 1.

SCOTTSBLUFF (67) -- Rudi Salazar's 19 points led the 4-14 Bearcats while Taylor Noe and Avery Krentz added 13 points apiece.