CCS girls drop game in SPVA matchup

By Diane Stamm
The Imperial Republican
    A chance to hand Bridgeport its first loss on the season slipped through the Chase County girls’ basketball team’s fingers Dec. 21.
    Jerzee Milner started CCS off right, hitting a three pointer, but Bryn McNair finished out the quarter matching Bridgeport basket for basket. At the end of the game’s first eight minutes, CCS held a one-point lead, 11-10.
    Both teams struggled from the floor before halftime. Liz Reeves made a Longhorn basket between buckets by McNair.
    The CCS defense only gave up seven points in the second quarter to leave the teams tied at 17 at halftime.
    Both teams made up for the low scoring second quarter coming out of the locker rooms in the second half.
    Each team scored 19 points in the third quarter. McNair scored four points to get CCS started before Milner added two free throws.
    Jablonski and Milner each rattled in three pointers followed by field goals by Morgan Peterson and Jablonski. After a bucket by Milner and free throw by McNair, the game remained tied at 36 heading into the fourth quarter.
    CCS was willing to slow the game down in the fourth quarter. The teams traded baskets over the first four minutes of the quarter.
    With 4:22 remaining the game was tied at 43. Chase County’s chances looked good when Bridgeport center Ruthie Loomis-Goltl fouled out with 2:42 left in the game.
    McNair responded with four-straight points and Jablonski gave CCS a 48-43 lead with a free throw.
    With 12 seconds left, a Bridgeport basket cut the Longhorns’ lead to 48-45.
    Unable to run the final seconds off the clock, CCS left the door open for a three pointer at the buzzer by Bridgeport that sent the game to overtime.
    Bridgeport made two field goals in extra time compared to Chase County’s one.
    The biggest difference came at the charity stripe. The Bulldogs made 5-7 free throws, while McNair made 1-3 for CCS.
    When the smoke had cleared CCS was on the short end of the stick, losing 51-57.
    McNair finished the game with 29 points. Milner added 10 points and Jablonski eight points. Jablonski also had seven rebounds and four steals.
    CCS held the advantage in rebounds, 39-29, but only converted 15 offensive rebounds to six points.
    The Bulldogs outscored CCS 22-13 in points off turnovers.
Up next
    Chase County opened the Sidney Holiday Tournament Monday against Gordon-Rushville (4-2).
    The Longhorns ran past the Mustangs 30-52 setting up a semifinal game against Torrington, Wyoming Tuesday.
    Torrington beat McCook 57-44 in the tournament’s opening round.
    With a win, CCS will play in the championship game Wednesday in the Sidney High School at 1:30 p.m.
    The consolation game will be played at 10 a.m. in the middle school gym.
    Also advancing in the winner’s bracket were Sidney and Ord.
    The Longhorns will open the new year at Dundy County Stratton (0-7) Jan. 4 in Benkelman. On Jan. 8 CCS will travel to Kimball (3-3).