Scott Wheeler gets a shot off in the lane against Torrington’s Josh Posten. Wheeler finished the game with nine points and three steals. (Johnson Publications photo)
Parker Dillan came off the bench in the second quarter to add two key baskets to keep Longhorns tied with Torrington at half. (Johnson Publications photo)
Longhorn boys come up empty at Cabela’s Shoot-out
After a slow start in the opening game of the Cabela’s Shoot-out, Chase County’s Longhorns played better in their next two games but still came away without a win in three starts.
The Longhorns dropped their opener to Cheyenne South Thursday, Dec. 28 31-60.
In their second game Friday, they gave Gering all they had before falling 52-59.
They finished the tourna-ment Saturday against Torrington, Wyo., losing another close one 58-66.
Coach Chris Bartels said the Longhorns played their best game of the tournament against Gering.
He said the kids really fought hard, played good defense and
shot well.
Going down the stretch, the Longhorns were tied before Gering slipped by in the final minutes.
With the hustle and effort they put forth against Gering, he felt confident about their final game against Torrington.
However, the defense strug-gled against the Torrington, he said. Early in the second half, they switched to a zone, only to give up three straight three-pointers, forcing them back into their man defense.
For a defense to be successful, all five players need to be focused and play together. “We don’t have that right now,” he said.
Being shorter than most teams, Bartels said checking out on defense and controlling the rebounding is key.
He noted the Longhorns gave up too many offensive rebounds, giving the other team two or three more chances to score.
He said they had a good practice Monday, working on those issues.
Cheyenne South
In the tournament opener at Sidney Thursday, Dec. 28, the Longhorns got down early to Cheyenne South.
Not only did they struggle defensively but they couldn’t get the ball to drop. They scored just seven points in each of the first two quarters and were unable to dig themselves out of that hole.
A 31-60 loss sent the Longhorns into the consolation bracket.
Scott Wheeler led the scoring with nine. Jack Bauerle led the rebounding with nine.
The Longhorns shot just 11-54 (.20) from the field, including 3-19 outside the arc (.16).
They also committed 17 turnovers in the contest.
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