Swedes rally to surprise Bison boys

McCook sophomore Brendan Gillen (10) focuses on finding an open teammate despite close Gothenburg Swede defense Friday night in Gothenburg.

R.B. Headley/McCook Gazette

GOTHENBURG, Neb. — The Gothenburg Swedes suddenly started banking in threes and causing all sorts of McCook Bison chaos during their 66-61 comeback victory Friday evening.

McCook (5-6) dominated deep into the third quarter behind a season-best 19 points from senior Jordan Chauncy.

When the 6’6” Chauncy finished a three-point play, McCook still seemed firmily in command at 49-40.

Sophomore Cole Cappel had just connected on an outside triple for a 46-38 Bison advantage.

However, the Swedes deserve credit for rallying with four players who scored 12 points or more.

They scored 27 as a team during the third which resulted in a 55-53 lead.

Junior Cam Berry’s driving basket forced one final deadlock at 53.

Yet the Bison saw some basketballs bounce awkwardly off feet while scoring only eight points in those decisive final eight minutes.

Gothenburg’s bank-shot three clearly showed the Swedes were ready to celebrate a rare victory. McCook rebounded on Saturday.

McCOOK (61) — Jordan Chauncy 19 points, Cole Cappel 12, Cam Berry 10, Konor Rakes 7, Mark Arp 6, Josh Hegwood 3, Logan Barenberg 2, Brendan Gillen 2. Three-pointers: Cappel 2, Rakes.

GOTHENBURG (66) — The Swedes earned their second win in 10 games this season behind four double-figure scorers.