Weekend split for Bobcat basketball

The Hot Springs County High School Boys Varsity Basketball team was in Lyman last Friday, and then traveled to Mountain View, for a game on Saturday. The team played very well against Lyman, however, a let up left them with a loss against Mountain View.

The Bobcats played an all-around game against Lyman on Friday. They came out in the first period looking both poised and polished – like a well-oiled machine. Leaving the Buffaloes a little stunned, the Cats ran up a quick opening score of ten points, to three by Lyman.

The team handled a full-court press effectively, and were both passing and shooting for effect. Armani Dukes played power ball, making a special effort to secure 22 points in the game (including a 3-pointer) and going 5 of 7 from the free-throw line – with 18 points and a steal in just the first half.

Ellis Webber put on a dribbling clinic – managing to keep the ball bouncing as he moved from a sitting, to a standing position after a rebound. Brody Potter, once again, proved hard to handle and effective in both shooting and defense. He put up a picture-perfect dunk in the fourth quarter.

In the end, the Bobcats came away with a win by a score of 60 to 49. Armani Dukes had 22 points, Cody Bomengen had 4 points, Jhett Longwell had 6 points, Kanyon Gerber had 8 points, Ellis Webber had 4 points and Brody Potter had 16 points.

With great things expected after Friday’s game, the Bobcats played less effectively on Saturday against Mountain View. Mountain View came into the contest at just 3 and 9, and could have been expected to be an easy opponent for Thermopolis.

Turnovers were decidedly a problem for the Cats, losing the ball to the Buffaloes on four of the first five Bobcat possessions to open the game. Brody Potter was a force to be reckoned with, displaying agility and accuracy in shooting and pulling down rebounds off the glass at both ends. Potter’s skill set seems tailor-made for additional playing time down low and around the rim.

Ellis Webber followed up his fine game on Friday with another convincing display of very quick hands on defense – causing trouble for the Buffaloes, and leading to several turnovers to the Cats. Kanyon Gerber and Zak Hastie each had successful three-point shots.

Towards the end of the third period, the Cats suffered a let up, giving up possession of the ball on turnovers caused by errors, and allowing Mountain View to get off an offensive run to stay ahead on the scoreboard. Although the Bobcats were able to pull to within 5, with 2 minutes left, the Cats were unable to pull ahead, losing the game by a score of 57 to 51.

Jhett Longwell had 2 points, Kanyon Gerber had 3 points, Cody Bomengen had 4 points, Ellis Webber had 2 points, Dell Dukes had 6 points, Armani Dukes had 9 points, Zak Hastie had 3 points and Brody Potter had 22 points.

At press time, Coach Shane Corpening was unavailable for comment.