On Friday evening, the Dundy County Stratton Tigers hosted the Cambridge Trojan Girls and Boys Basketball Teams. For DCS, this was their first night of games for the season, and Cambridge was playing in its second game of the year.
The Tigers came away with wins in both matchups.
For the girls game, DCS jumped out to a big lead and never looked back winning 61-31. In the opening quarter, the Tigers forced turnovers and got easy buckets. They led 17-5 after the first eight minutes. Also for DCS, they had success on their baseline out of bounds plays, getting nice looks off of those.
The theme was similar in the second quarter. Cambridge found some nice looks when they got into their offense but could not convert. DCS pushed their lead even more, 34-10, at halftime.
In the second half, Cambridge came out with some fire, scoring 13 points in the third. They were able to get some shots to fall and played solid defense. The Tigers scored 11 and led 45-23 going to the fourth.
In the fourth, the Tigers got back on track scoring 16 points while holding Cambridge to eight.
We caught up with Emily Schack after the game to discuss the Tigers' win. Acme Printing Company sponsors postgame interviews.
Cambridge is now 0-2 and will face Southern Valley on the road on Tuesday. Elisabeth Kubik led Cambridge with 10 points, and Mallory Springer had eight.
DCS starts the season at 1-0 and will play at Creek Valley on Saturday. The Tigers were led by Abi Spargo, who scored 18 points, and Ava Lutz, who added 12.
In the boys game, it was close early on, but the Tigers used a strong late second period and a monster second half to win 65-30.
DCS is regarded as a top-10 team in Class D1.
Cambridge shot the ball well in the first few minutes of the game as Krayton Ruggles and Hodge Raburn hit some shots. The Tigers were also knocking down their fair share of shots, as they had a size advantage with Breck Horner and Lane Bybee. The Trojans were down 15-13 in the final seconds of the quarter, and Ethan Latta tossed a half-court heave that missed, but he was fouled.
He made all three free throws, and the Tigers led 18-13.
In the second quarter, DCS opened things up more, scoring 15 points as a team while holding the Trojans to six. It was 33-19 at the half.
In the third, the Tigers ramped up the defensive pressure even more. They held Cambridge to just four points while scoring 25 points. A number of those were drives to the hoop off the break and off screens in the half-court.
It was 58-23 after three. In the final quarter, both teams had the chance to get a bunch of players in as the game was controlled by DCS.
We chatted with The Tigers' Dante Horner after the game. Postgame interviews are brought to you by Acme Printing Company.
Cambridge was led by Krayton Ruggles with 13 points. Hodge Raburn had 10 and Gavin Gunderson added five. Cambridge is 0-2 and will play Southern Valley on the road on Tuesday.
For DCS, Ethan Latta had 23 points to lead the Tigers, Breck Horner had 17, and Lane Bybee added 12. The Tigers are 1-0 and will play at Creek Valley on Saturday.
For our games on Friday night, the Players of the Game brought to you by Farmers National Company - Lori Harding Real Estate Sales went to Abi Spargo and Breck Horner. Both of them are freshmen and will play key roles all season long for the Tigers.
Check out our highlights brought to you by Praire Girl Candle Company.
