Young Longhorns Showing Grit From The Get-Go

Bayard 67, Kimball 26

Thursday, Dec. 2

We had only seven players to open this season of a three-game stretch of back-to-back-to-back games, four freshmen and three sophomores. Junior Kyle Fraser was injured at our first practice of the year and we hope to have him back for us soon, but for now our energetic group of underclassmen is showing us they are willing to give everything they got night in and night out.

At Bayard, Wyatt Cords had a good night shooting going 50% from the field and 17 total points. Kyler Lusche also had a great night leading the team in four categories with nine rebounds, three assists, three steals, and four blocks. Individual scoring was rounded out with Kyler getting 6 and Bransyn Kiefer 3 while Bransyn also added 4 rebounds while Conner Deboodt added 2 assists for us as well.

Team categories we were able to outperform our opponent were in free throw percentage, defensive rebounds and blocks. The team showed a lot of hustle and energy all night and was very composed when battling through adversity. Very proud of each and every one of our players!

Leyton 65, Kimball 37

Friday, Dec. 3

Our young team was at it again Friday night at Leyton. This night we had great energy again with this young group and had three players end up in double figures with Wyatt Cords leading the pack in scoring once again with 14 and shooting 60% from the field. Kyler Lusche ended with 13 and Bransyn Kiefer hit three 3-point shots on his way to 10 total points.

Once again Kyler led us in blocks and shot 50% from the field, but where he really shined was on the boards, grabbing the fifth most "rebounds in a game" in school history dating back to 1974 with 17. Bransyn also added 5 rebounds while Wyatt led us in steals with 2 and assists along with Braylon Miller with 2 apiece.

Team Categories we were able to outperform our opponent in were field goal percentage, 3 point field goal percentage, with a respectable 31.3%, and defensive rebounds (27). The team competed hard and kept working to improve throughout the game.

Minatare 51, Kimball 33

Saturday, Dec. 4

Our team on Saturday was looking forward to playing our first home game in front a great crowd and honoring a legendary couple in our community. Our court dedication of Tom and Karen Southard was one to remember and they are very deserving of that honor having played a big part in our sports community and affecting the overall athletic experience of so many athletes that participated in the last 50-plus years.

While the game did not end up as we would have liked, we still had some sparks and good overall performances. This game saw five players end up in the scoring column with Wyatt Cords leading the efforts once again with 14. Kyler Lusche had 8 points and once again placed himself in the record books with 14 Rebounds. The sixth most "rebounds in a game."

Bransyn Kiefer added 4 points and led the team in steals with 4. Conner Deboodt had 4 points as well and provided 9 rebounds. Braylon Miller rounded out the scoring for us opening the game with his first 3-pointer of the season, while Aaspyn Tyan and Landon Norberg provided us with some good minutes off the bench. Landon, playing his pesky defensive style, was able to take our first charge as a team for the season.

This game saw its share of runs back and forth, but ultimately we did not hit the shots that we needed and normally make. It was our lowest field goal percentage of the three-game stretch and although fatigue may have played a factor down the stretch with some of those shots falling short and with some of our decisions with the ball, we are not a group that makes excuses and we will continue to move forward with trying to getting better each and every time out.

We as coaches are having so much fun with this group of players and look forward to seeing them grow through this season.

The Longhorns next travel to Perkins County on Friday evening to match up against the Plainsmen.