Down 10 in fourth, DC-S Tigers beat Buffs in double OT

LINCOLN, Neb. — Trailing 43-33 to start the fourth quarter was only one of several near season-ending troubles for Dundy County-Stratton in Thursday morning's D-1 state quarterfinals.

The Tigers saw senior Alex Englot suffer a second-half leg injury, return and then foul out against No. 5-seed Elm Creek at Pinnacle Bank Arena.

After an 18-8 fourth period, No. 4-seed DC-S didn't make a single overtime through that entire first overtime.

Senior defensive glove Corbin Horner also committed a controversial fifth foul and departed.

Yet somehow, someway with freshman Ethan Latta hitting huge shots, the Tigers delivered a 63-55 victory over Elm Creek which advances them into Friday's D-1 state semifinals.

Coach Kris Freeland's boys (23-4 record) will take on No. 1 North Platte St. Patrick's (24-2) at 9 a.m. in the Bob Devaney Sports Center.

A day off will be fine for junior Jackson Kerchal, who fought through double-triple and even quadruple team defense to score 18 points — most during that fourth period along with overtime.

Alex Englot netted 15 points on six-for-eight shots while twin brother Andrew Englot added 13. Andrew's nine during the first quarter helped DC-S keep pace with Elm Creek at 15-15.

Freshman Latta shot 80 percent at four for five in his first state game, totaling 10 points.

Horner added three and freshman Lane Bybee stepped in to score two.

The Tigers shot 54 percent overall despite a four-point second period which dropped them behind 24-19 entering halftime.

Though their offense improved after the break, Elm Creek still outscored the Tigers 19-14.

Their defense gained momentum in the final quarter with Kerchal blocking an awesome seven Elm Creek shots.

Horner dished out six assists with five rebounds. The Tigers prevailed even though their trademark pressure defense forced only nine Elm Creek turnovers.

More will be featured on Friday and in the next McCook Gazette.