Longhorn boys looking for wins

    The Chase County boys’ basketball team knew the first month of the season would be a tough one and the season’s first week lived up to those expectations.
    CCS traveled to Cozad for its season opener. Both teams started off the night with a two pointer, Emmitt Zuege scored for CCS, followed by a three pointer, courtesy of Keenan Cole. Ryan Bernhardt and Kade Anderson added buckets, helping CCS to a 10-9 first quarter lead.
    The second quarter doomed Chase County. Anderson scored all seven of the Longhorns’ points as Cozad jumped out to a 24-17 advantage.
    CCS chipped away at the deficit in the third quarter. Cole made two three pointers and a two point field goal. Easton Fries made a three and Bernhardt a conventional three point play to help CCS out score Cozad. CCS still trailed 31-36 heading into the fourth quarter.
    Cole added two more three pointers in the fourth on his way to a team-high 17 points.
    Fries hit a second three pointer and Jensen Olsen came off the bench for a bucket.
    CCS lost the contest 42-49.
    Chase County only shot 2-4 from the charity stripe, compared to Cozad making 10 free throws in 20 attempts.
    Cozad also held a distinct advantage on the offensive glass, pulling down 16 offensive rebounds for 13 second chance points.
    CCS only pulled down 21 total rebounds on the night and had seven offensive rebounds leading to 10 second chance points.
    McCook brought a big, experienced team to Imperial Friday.
    CCS stuck with the Bison in the first quarter. Tysen Lempke made two three pointers and Anderson added a three and a two point field goal to keep CCS within two points, 11-13, at the end of the first quarter.
    The second quarter was a different story. Chase County didn’t have a field goal in the quarter and only scored on two free throws by Anderson. CCS trailed 13-29 at halftime.
    CCS stayed even with McCook in the third quarter. Lempke scored four points and Cole and Bernhardt each added baskets, while CCS held the Bison to 10 points.
    McCook got rolling again in the fourth quarter. Lempke scored four more points and finished with a team high 14 points. Zuege added a fourth-quarter basket as CCS fell 27-58.
Up next
    The road ahead doesn’t get any easier for CCS. Friday the team travels to 2-1 Sidney, then hosts 2-0 Ogallala Saturday