CCS boys face high flying opponents

    The Chase County boys’ basketball team ran into a pair of offensive minded opponents last week, starting with Class B Sidney Friday and ending at Class C1 #5 Ogallala Saturday.
    CCS Head Coach Chris Bartels said Sidney is a very athletic and talented team, and they showed it on Friday night.
    The Red Raiders hit four first quarter three pointers. Chase County was never able to get settled against Sidney’s defense and trailed 19-7 at the end of the first.
    “They came out hot, hitting the first three 3s they shot. I thought we played pretty solid defense initially, but couldn’t come up with key rebounds when they missed shots,” Bartels said.
    Rebounding will be something the team will be working on every day, he said.
    CCS made more free throws in the game, 11-20, than two and three point field goals combined in the 32-67 loss. The Longhorns made six two pointers and three three pointers in the game.
    Ogallala rattled the Longhorns at both ends of the floor the next night.
    Bartels said Ogallala’s press is very good and got the best of Chase County on Saturday.
    “They are a very good team that has played a lot of basketball together. Playing good opponents early in the season can tell you a lot,” he added.
    The Indians put 31 points on the board in the first quarter, while holding Chase County to seven.
    CCS gave up 11 three pointers to Ogallala, including five by four different players in the fourth quarter of the 32-92 loss.
    “Ogallala exposed a lot of our weaknesses. We have a lot of improvements to make, but I think the players are ready and willing to put that work in,” Bartels said.
Up next
    CCS will travel to Wray, Colorado on Friday. The Eagles are ranked third in Class 2A.
    “Wray is traditionally a solid basketball team that likes to play fast and has a lot of good shooters. We will have to do our best in limiting their points in transition and work for great shots on our end,” Bartels said.
    Also ahead is trip to Class D1 Bridgeport Dec. 22. The Bullgdogs have started the season 3-1.