CCS boys fall to Sidney, Ogallala

    The Chase County boys’ basketball team continues to seek its first win of the season after losses to Sidney (4-1) and Ogallala (3-1) last week.
    Friday at Sidney, after a slow start, CCS gave Sidney more than it wanted in the first quarter. Trailing 7-15 with 2:30 left in the quarter, Kade Anderson, Keenan Cole and Ryan Bernhardt knocked down threes. Paired with a two pointer by Easton Fries, CCS led 18-16 heading into the second quarter.
    Chase County’s offensive woes started up again before halftime. CCS only scored six points in the second quarter and allowed 21 points by Sidney.
    Trailing 24-37 coming out of the locker room, three pointers by Cole and Emmitt Zuege served as the majority of Chase County’s offense. The Longhorns trailed 32-52 going into the fourth quarter.
    CCS gained ground in the fourth quarter, but the deficit was too much to overcome. The Longhorns made nine 3s in the game, including long range bombs from Anderson and Bernhardt in the fourth quarter. CCS only shot nine free throws in the game, but eight came in the final stanza with five makes.
    The Longhorns only made seven two-point baskets compared to 20 for Sidney.
    Sidney took advantage of Chase County’s 13 turnovers for 14 points. CCS had no points off turnovers.
    Anderson scored 13 points in the game and Cole chipped in 11 points in the 63-47 loss.
    Zuege started CCS off on the right foot when the Longhorns hosted Ogallala the next night when the senior hit a basket in the paint on Chase County’s first possession. Baskets by Anderson and Nickolas Rau gave CCS a 6-5 lead with 3:30 left in the quarter. A 3 at the buzzer by Zuege tied the score at 9-9.
    CCS only had field goals by Anderson and Tysen Lempke in the second quarter and made 4-8 free throws. Ogallala scored 16 points leaving CCS trailing 17-25 at halftime.
    Points continued to be hard to come by in the second half. CCS only scored nine in the third quarter.
    Zuege put five points on the board in the fourth quarter. Freshman Ben Skeels made a three pointer and Jensen Olsen a bucket in the paint late in the 36-64 loss.
    The Indians held a distinct advantage from the charity stripe, making 20-31 while CCS made 6-16.
    Chase County was also out rebounded 21-46. Ogallala had 16 second chance points and CCS had none.
    Zuege led the Longhorns with 15 points. Anderson had a team high seven rebounds.
Up next
    CCS will host Wray, Colorado, defending Class 2A state champions Saturday.
    Tuesday the Longhorns will host 2-1 Bridgeport before NSAA schools head into the Christmas moratorium.