Longhorn boys split with Hershey, Yuma

The Chase County boys’ basketball team split two tough games in four days, falling at Hershey and beating Yuma at home.
CCS played the Panthers without starters Clay Meeske and Keenan Cole.
    “Hershey is playing very good basketball right now and we knew it was going to be a big challenge for us without having Clay and Keenan, but I was happy with how hard we played for the most part,” CCS Head Coach Chris Bartels said.
Much like the team’s SPVA matchup in January, Hershey jumped out to an early lead, earning 12 of their 13 first quarter points in the paint. With only a basket by Jake German in the first quarter, CCS trailed 2-13.
    “We really struggled in the first quarter and got down by double digits early, but we kept fighting back,” Bartels said.
The trend continued in the second quarter. Hershey made two more baskets in the lane, but Cedric Maxwell got involved, scoring five points for CCS.
The Longhorns trailed 7-21 when shots started raining in from long distance. Hershey made back-to-back three pointers that Mason Nordhausen matched. Maxwell made two free throws to end the half, leaving Chase County trailing 15-27.
Brandon Mintling cut the Hershey lead to single digits with a three pointer to open the third quarter.
    “We cut the lead to nine early in the third quarter and I thought we might have a chance, but Hershey answered with back to back threes and shot the lead back up to 15,” Bartels said.
Hershey went on an eight-point run, with only a free throw by Kade Anderson in response. The Panthers nailed a three pointer at the buzzer to end the quarter.
Nordhausen made two more three pointers in the fourth quarter and finished the night with 12 points.
Maxwell scored 13 in the game, with six coming in the fourth quarter of the 36-60 loss.
    “We will learn from that loss and hopefully we get another chance to play Hershey in subdistricts,” Bartels said.
CCS hosted Yuma Tuesday. The game was originally scheduled to be played in Colorado, but both teams would have been required to wear masks while playing, so the game was moved to Imperial.

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