The #7 seed in Class D1 Dundy County Stratton faced #2 seed Howells-Dodge in the opening round of the NSAA Boys State Basketball Tournament.
Of course, this is DCS' fourth straight state appearance.
Ahead of the game, we visited with Judd Johnson of the Tigers.
DCS did everything they could, but they couldn't put together a late run to steal a win. Howells-Dodge won the game by a final score of 54-40.
The Tigers found themselves in a bit of a hole early in the game as the Jaguars started on a 10-0 run. DCS was able to settle down a little after a timeout with about 4:00 to go in the first.
Lane Bybee scored the Tigers' first bucket on a three from the left wing. DCS then went on. a nice 8-0 run. Despite the slow start, DCS trailed 14-12 going to the second quarter.
In the second period, both teams used ball pressure and forced turnovers. The Jaguars converted more of those turnovers into points, and they led 25-16 at halftime.
Check out the highlights from the game brought to you by Prairie Girl Candle Company!
In the third quarter, Howells-Dodge attempted to run away and hide, but DCS would not go away. Heading to the final period, the Jaguars led 35-26 as each team scored 10 points in the third.
The Tigers attempted to make one last run at the Jaguars in the fourth period. August Shaw hit a big three-pointer with 3:45 to go to make it 44-37. Later, the Tigers made another shot to cut it to 46-40 with 1:57 to go. But DCS couldn't get any closer.
Nathan Tomcak led all scorers with 19 points and 11 rebounds. Hunter Luther added 11 points.
As a team, they shot 45.2% from the field and were 3-15 from three-point range, 20%. They were 13-19 from the free-throw line, had 16 turnovers as a team, and had 35 rebounds. The Jaguars had 32 points in the paint.
DCS was led by Lane Bybee, who scored 12 points and had four rebounds. August Shaw had a nice night with 10 points, Ethan Latta and Breck Horner each had eight points, and Cooper Shaw had two. Latta and Horner each had four rebounds, and Dante Horner had two rebounds.
For DCS, they were 32.6% from the field, 3-16 from three, and 7-10 from the free throw line. DCS had 12 turnovers, grabbed 21 rebounds, and had 18 points in the paint.
Howells-Dodge will now face #3 seeded Bancroft-Rosalie on Friday at 10:45 A.M. at the Bob Devaney Sports Center.
DCS ends the season at 19-6.
Check out the updated bracket here.
Our Player of the Game, brought to you by Farmers National Company - Lori Harding Real Estate Sales went to Lane Bybee of DCS.
