The Comeback Trail Continues

Friday, Dec.10

Perkins County 80,

Kimball 36

Game four on this young season at Perkins County saw our young team hit the floor ready to go at it again. Perkins County had already two big SPVA Conference wins but our boys did not let that faze them. Kyle Fraser, out lone Junior, was back from injury ready to give it a go and provided us with a great boost on and off the floor. We were limiting his minutes but when he was called upon he was ready to try and do whatever we asked of him. Our greatest moments of the game were probably in the 3rd quarter when we went on a 10-3 run and outscored our opponents' starters 18-12 in that quarter. We moved the ball well, limited our turnovers to 5 in that quarter, and shot a great 8/13 61.5% from the field. Defensively we got back on defense and contested well, so this quarter was definitely a glimpse of just how well we can play when everything starts to come together and we can react instinctively within the system.

Wyatt Cords once again led the team in scoring with 17 and 50% shooting from the field. Kyler Lusche added 14 including (2) three pointer, Bransyn Kiefer 3 points, and Kyle Fraser 2 points. Other stats saw Wyatt leading us with 4 steals, 2 assists, and adding 7 rebounds. Kyler led us again in rebounds with 10, 3 blocks, and added 2 steals while Kyle also had 3 blocks and 2 assists along with Conner Deboodt's 2 assists. Team Categories we were able to outperform our opponent were in 3pt Field Goal Percentage, with over 30% again, and Blocked Shots (6).

This team battled well again versus a very tough opponent and was glad to see their teammate, Kyle Fraser, getting back to being almost 100% again and having him on the court. He is one that we expect can help us continue to move in the right direction and with him slowly getting more practice and game reps he will be looked upon more and more as the season progresses.

Saturday, Dec. 11

Morrill 58, Kimball 26

Once again we were back at home wanting to make our Longhorn fans proud. Game film showed that Morrill liked to shoot from the outside but for us they decided to pound it more inside and try and take advantage of their size, taking 44 of their shots inside the paint. And although we tried to keep our opponents at bay with some half court trapping and create more turnovers, we were unable to capitalize as much as we would have liked off of those turnovers created. In the 2nd quarter we had our best scoring output and the kids once again gave it their all, however, the physicality inside was just too much for our young team to overcome. With that said though I would be remiss if I did not mention the final 2 seconds of the game where freshman Bransyn Kiefer hit one of the longest shots in Longhorn history. Once receiving the ball from Conner Deboodt right in front of the opponents' bench in the backcourt, Bransyn cocked his throwing arm as back as he could and let the ball fly for his full court attempt. A few moments later the ball found its way into our basket. For those that stuck around until the final buzzer were treated to one of the most spectacular made shots in school history and a crowd that was just as loud as ever.

Wyatt Cords led this young team again with 12 points, Kyler Lusche 8, Bransyn Kiefer 3, and Kyle Fraser 2 points. Kyler once again led us inside defensively by banging hard and pulling 10 boards. The stat though that jumps off the page with him that night was his 6 individual blocks which unfortunately is not a stat that has been tracked too much in our history, but if it was, i'm sure his game performance would have put him right up there at one of the top. Kyler also contributed with 2 assists and 5 deflections. Wyatt also added 2 blocks of his own while pulling 7 boards and leading us again with 4 steals. Kyle was also able to battle hard inside and also pull down for rebounds for us. Team Categories we were able to outperform our opponent were in Blocks with 8 as a team and 3pt%.

The team will get back to practicing hard this coming week and we look forward to once again representing our school and community in Hershey, NE this next Friday!!

Saturday, Dec. 11

Morrill JV 40,

Kimball JV 15

This was our first Junior Varsity game in a while and although we only went 3 quarters with limited playing time for some of our players, we are hoping to stay consistent with our numbers and play more JV games throughout the season. Draco Miller and Tig Wollington saw their first action of the season and although Trenton Hottell was held back do to an illness late in the week; hopefully we will see him on the court as well this Friday in Hershey for another JV contest.

Aaspyn Tyan led the mostly balanced scoring with 4 points, Kyle Fraser 3, Bran syn Kiefer 3, Conner Deboodt 3, and Landon Norberg 2.

Aspyn also added 3 DReb, 3 Stl, & 1 Ast. Kyle: 1 Ast, 2 DReb, 2 Stl, & 2 Blk. Bransyn: 3 OReb, 3 Def, 1 Ast, & 2 Stl. Conner: 2 DReb Landon: 1 DReb, 1 Ast, & 1 Stl Braylon: 1 DReb Tig: 1 DReb Draco: 1DReb