Spartans Drop 2 Big Games
The Boyd County Spartans basketball team was knocked off by the visiting St. Mary’s Cardinals just three short days after the Cardinals earned the Niobrara Valley Conference Title. The Boyd County Spartans were seeking revenge after their loss in the NVC tournament, but the Spartans were unable to hold off the Cardinals for 32 long minutes. The Spartans only trailed by one bucket at half time but were outscored by 12 points in the third period. The Spartans main challenge was holding St. Mary’s off of the boards, while the Cardinals collected 22 offensive rebounds. The Spartans were able to force 20 Cardinal turnovers with aggressive defense. The Spartans battled until the final buzzer, but were unable to make up the deficit in the fourth quarter, losing 57-70. Colby Hansen managed to produce 24 points, while Jory Zeisler added 15 and Grant Kirwan 11. Hansen also led with 8 rebounds and Joseph Hiatt pulled down 7. Joseph Hiatt and Cory Koenig picked up 5 steals each and Hiatt generated 4 assists. Hansen also recorded 3 blocked shots.
Name C. Hansen J. Zeisler G. Kirwan Z. Rihanek C. Koenig K. Ellwanger |
PTS 24 15 11 3 2 2 |
St. Mary’s 23-14-18-15=70
Boyd County 20-15-6-16=57
On the 14th, the Boyd County Spartans headed to Niobrara to challenge the Niobrara/Verdigre Cougars who sport an NVC 4th Place plaque. The Spartans were short handed and dropped the match 54-65. The Spartans struggled to combat Niobrara/Verdigre’s size but were able to fight hard to stay in the game until the very end. The long Cougar full court press provoked 18 Spartan turnovers. Boyd County’s defense was able to contain the excellent Cougar shooting team to just 1 three pointer, while the Spartans knocked down 8 big three pointers. While the Spartans shot very well throughout the night, the Cougars were able to attempt 14 more free throws than the Spartans. Boyd County trailed by just 2 points with less than a quarter to go, but were unable to make up the difference. The Spartans battled very hard with a very balanced attack and a number of players contributing in unique ways. The Spartans were balanced in the scoring column with 7 players scoring. Zac Rihanek led with 14 points off of the bench and Cory Koenig also added 12 points. Joseph Hiatt led the rebounding efforts, tallying 9. Hiatt also generously pitched in 6 assists. Hiatt, Koenig, and Kannin Ellwanger all secured 3 rebounds as well.
Name Z. Rihanek C. Koenig G. Kirwan E. McBride J. Hiatt K. Ellwanger T. Atkinson |
PTS 14 12 10 6 5 5 2 |
Niobrara/Verdigre 19-13-13-20=65
Boyd County 14-12-10-18=54
JV Action
Boyd County 37 - St. Mary’s 39
E. McBride 15, Z. Rihanek 8, T. Atkinson 5, C. Hilkemann 5, B. Almgren 4
Boyd County 29 - Niobrara/Verdigre 24
Z. Rihanek 12, Z. Kluckman 8, T. Atkinson 5, B. Almgren 2, L. Reiman 2
Elementary Action
3/4 Grade - Verdigre Tournament 3rd Place
Boyd County 7 - Crofton 29
B. Schmitz 3, G. Adams 2, H. Hoffman 2
Boyd County 19 - Neligh/Oakdale 15
G. Adams 7, B. Schmitz 6, L. Kopecky 2, C. Nelson 2, A. Garwood 2
Boyd County 16 - Plainview 19
G. Adams 8, B. Schmitz 6, L. Kopecky 2
Boyd County 18 - Niobrara/Verdigre 34
G. Adams 6, B. Schmitz 4, C. Nelson 2, H. Hoffman 2, R. Cadwallader 2, L. Kopecky 2
5/6 Grade - Orchard Tournament 2nd Place
Boyd County 24 - West Holt 23
C. Adams 14, W. Nelson 4, N. Boettcher 2, A. Cadwallader 2, B. Stone 2
Boyd County 35 - Summerland #2 14
I. Jensen 13, C. Adams 8, A. Cadwallader 6, B. Stone 4, W. Nelson 2, N. Boettcher 2
Boyd County 38 - Summerland #1 32
W. Nelson 18, C. Adams 14, A. Cadwallader 4, N. Boettcher 2
Boyd County 24 - West Holt 39
C. Adams 13, K. Gonzales 5, W. Nelson 4, B. Stone 2