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Bobcats drop two going into regionals

The Hot Springs County High School Boys Basketball Team were on the road in Lander on Thursday and then returned home to face Powell on Saturday. After a gut-wrenching loss to Lander, the team then had the unenviable task of facing the undefeated team from Powell.

After leading the Lander Tigers through the first three quarters, the Bobcats suffered a loss of focus in the fourth, that allowed Lander an opportunity to get back into the game.

Jhett Longwell played a very effective low post in the game, which allowed Brody Potter to increase his assist numbers on the season. The Cats moved the ball well, and were very patient in looking for good shooting opportunities.

The end of the game was a nail biter. With 2:32 left in the game, and with Lander up by three, Cody Bomengen sank a 3-pointer to tie the score. Lander then went up again, but only by 2 points with 1:09 left. Thermopolis then tied the game at 49 with 42.8 seconds left. Dell Dukes then fouled out of the game with 31.6 seconds left. Another foul by the home team sent Lander to the line with just .18 seconds left in the game. Lander dropped one of the two free-throws, going ahead on the scoreboard by one and leaving the Cats with not enough time to go ahead. The final score was Lander 50 and Thermopolis 49.

Coach Shane Corpening said, “It was like Pinedale all over again. Very frustrating. We lost both of those games in the same fashion. We had too many turnovers in the fourth quarter, and we will have to clean that up.”

Andrue Howell had a 3-pointer, Dell Dukes had a 3-pointer and Cody Bomengen also dropped a three point shot.

Brody Potter had 16 points, Jhett Longwell 13, Cody Bomengen 8, Dell Dukes 7, Andrue Howell 3 and Kanyon Gerber had 2 points.

Facing the 18 and 0 Panthers on Saturday, the Bobcats seemed to be still suffering the effects of the heart-wrenching loss in Lander. The Cats played well in the first quarter, running up a score of 10 to 2 and leaving Powell a bit shell shocked. After Powell called a time out, however, they rallied, and were up by 9 at the half.

The third quarter saw several lead changes, however, the Bobcats were outscored by Powell in the second half. Although both teams committed a string of turnovers, only Powell was able to capitalize at the other end of the court. As Powell’s shooting got hot – looking like the undefeated team they are, the Bobcats shooting went equally cold. At game’s end, the Bobcats were down by a score of 69 to 38.

Coach Corpening commented, “We started well, but just didn’t maintain that momentum. Powell is a very good team that is loaded with size and experience, and if you want to beat them, you have to bring you’re A-game, and play that game for four quarters.”

Andrue Howell had two 3-point shots and Dell Dukes had a 3-point shot, all in the first quarter. The long-ball went quiet after that.

Dell Dukes had 11 points, Brody Potter 8, Will Coale 7, Andrue Howell 6, Jhett Longwell 4 and Armani Dukes had 2 points.

Seniors Will Coale, Kanyon Gerber, Andrue Howell and Jhett Longwell were each recognized at half-time for their contributions to the Bobcats team, and to Thermopolis High School.

The Bobcats host the 3A West Regional Tournament this week, facing Pinedale in the opening round on Thursday with the game starting at 7 p.m.

 

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