CCS runs down RPAC opponents

    The Republican Plains Activities Conference was no match for the Chase County boys’ basketball team last week. The Longhorns took down Hitchcock County and Cambridge in home matchups.
    CCS grounded the 13-10 Falcons Tuesday.
    The Longhorns’ defense put the clamps on Hitchcock County right from the start. CCS only gave up one first quarter field goal to go with three free throws. Kade Anderson, Emmitt Zuege and Keenan Cole each hit a three pointer as Chase County jumped out to a 17-5 lead.
    CCS cooled off in the second quarter with Anderson scoring five of the Longhorns’ eight points. Hitchcock County only made two field goals in the quarter, but hit 5-6 from the charity stripe.
    Chase County came out from halftime with a 25-14 lead and increased its advantage in the third quarter. Four Longhorns contributed to 14 points to increase the CCS lead to 39-24.
    The Falcons only managed to knock one point off their deficit in the fourth quarter. CCS continued to get points from multiple players. Seven of the eight players who saw action scored in the 50-36 win.
    Chase County finished the night with an effective field goal percentage of 58.8% compared to 32.5% by Hitchcock County.
    Anderson led CCS scorers with 15 points.
    CCS dominated in transition points, 16-2.
    With only 10 turnovers by the Longhorns and 16 by Hitchcock County, CCS held a 14-9 advantage in points off turnovers.
    Chase County hosted Cambridge (15-7) Saturday.
    The Longhorns trailed 4-7 with just under four minutes to go in the first quarter, but closed the period with a bang. CCS went on a 10-2 running to end the quarter. Cole started off hot for the Longhorns, scoring six points over the game’s first eight minutes.
    Cole, Ryan Bernhardt and Nick Rau made two 3s and four 2s in the second quarter, while Rau and Anderson combined to make 6-6 free throw attempts. CCS extended its lead to 34-22 at halftime.
    The Longhorns continued to dominate in the second half. Cole made two three pointers and scored eight points in the third quarter. Jensen Olsen came off the bench to add five points and Tysen Lempke rattled home a three pointer. All of Cambridge’s points in the third quarter came from field goals. The Trojans went 0-5 from the charity stripe.
    Leading 52-34, Chase County’s guards took over in the fourth quarter, harassing the Cambridge ball handlers and turning turnovers into points. Cole hit two more three pointers and was 3-4 free throws. The senior finished his final game on his home court with 28 points.
    Anderson’s fourth quarter field goal was his only one in the game, but he finished with 10 points after making 8-8 from the charity stripe.
    Overall, CCS outscored Cambridge 24-11 in the fourth quarter and cruised to a 76-45 win.
    Bernhardt, also a senior, scored consistently throughout the game and finished with 15 points.
    Anderson grabbed a team-high eight rebounds.
    The Longhorns, helped by 8-12 shooting from behind the arc, finished with an outstanding effective field goal percentage, 60.8%.
    CCS also made 14-17 free throws.
    After forcing 26 turnovers, the Longhorns finished the night with a 31-10 advantage in second chance points.
Up next
    The Longhorns’ final regular season game will be Friday at Sutherland (1-17).
    Subdistrict pairing were released Tuesday.
    As the top seed, Bridgeport (14-9) will host the C2-12 subdistrict.
    Chase County is the fifth seed and will have a Monday night game against fourth-seeded Morrill (11-9) for the right to play Bridgeport at 5 p.m. next Tuesday.
    Bayard (15-9) snagged the second seed and will face the third seed, Perkins County (14-7) at 6:30 p.m.
    Boys Class C1, C2, D1 and D2 district games may be played Feb, 26, 28 or March 1.