Diane Stamm | Johnson Publications
Senior Mason Nordhausen and teammates will be in action at the state tournament this week, with their first round against Yutan Wednesday.
Jan Schultz| Johnson Publications
Senior Mason Nordhausen rolls to the finish line in a friendly competition between Head Coach Chris Bartels and the five senior basketball players. In back, Jake German, left, tries to get the firefighter gear on, as Cedric Maxwell, center, and Brandon Mintling laugh at their teammates.
Jan Schultz| Johnson Publications
As part of Monday’s pep rally fun, Coach Chris Bartels and senior Clay Meeske battle to see who can build the highest pile using shaving cream, as Wooly Bully keeps a close eye on the action.
Chase Co. tips off with Yutan in state tournament’s first round
“I think this would be a great year to take that next big step by winning that district final game and qualify for the state tournament,” Chase County boys’ basketball coach Chris Bartels said back in December.
Fast forward three months and the coach looks prophetic.
After qualifying for the district finals in 2018-2019 and 2019-2020, the Longhorns took that final step with their Feb. 27 win over Amherst.
Now, CCS will have to take another big step in Lincoln today Wednesday this week.
It’s been 17 years since Chase County’s last appearance in Lincoln. Players like sophomore starter Kade Anderson, the only player to appear in all 22 of the Longhorns’ games this year, weren’t even born when the Longhorns made trips east in 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004.
For first round opponent Yutan, this season is its fourth trip in a row. The Chieftains have finished fourth, second and third in the last three state tournaments.
Yutan (22-2) hasn’t lost since Jan. 8. Bartels called the Chieftains a very skilled basketball team led by their point guard, senior Brady Timm, who he predicts to be a three time all state player in Class C2.
“He kind of runs the show, but he is surrounded by some good shooters. We’re going to have to be really locked in on the defensive end because they can score in a lot of different ways,” Bartels said.
Focusing on the home front, Bartels said CCS took a couple days to recover after the district final game, but everyone is healthy and ready to go again.
“I thought our practices got better as the week went along. Our practice on Saturday might have been the best practice we’ve had all year in terms of focus and intensity,” he added.
Seniors Mason Nordhausen and Cedric Maxwell lead CCS offensively with 13.8 and 12.6 points per game, respectively.
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