Scottsbluff, NE – Sports pundits are known to say that a season is a marathon and not a sprint, well last night pundits would be wrong.
The North Platte Knights travelled up to Scottsbluff for a showdown for the #1 spot in the Region IX south sub-district. The winner would take the top spot and earn an automatic bid to the Region IX tournament in Sheridan WY. The loser would then get the right to host McCook on Saturday the 1st to earn a spot in Sheridan.
The Palace at WNCC was packed headed into tip-off as the Cougars were also celebrating sophomore night, would be the last home game for 6 players from the team.
WNCC would jump out to an early lead in this one going up 6-0 before the Knights were able to get a bucket. Teams would go back and forth for a little as WNCC would slowly start to build a lead. Shots for the Knights were just not falling throughout the first half.
After about 5 minutes of play time the floodgates would open for WNCC. They would get out in transition and start hitting shots from all over the floor. The Knights didnt have an answer for the Cougar attack.
Between transition baskets and NBA length three pointers the Cougars found themselves up by double digits early in the half and would stay there throughout.
Only Tim Johnson would have any offense for the Knights going 10/10 from the FT line in the first half to lead the scoring for the Knights. He would be a big part of the momentum shift as the Knights, down by 20 with a minute left in the half would rattle off 4 quick points and get a couple big defensive stops.
The first half would end 50-34 in favor of WNCC. It should be noted that the Cougars shot an out worldly percentage from the field in the first half. They would go 19/31 (61.3%) from the field and go 9/20 (45%) from 3pt range. Those numbers are outstanding and not something one usually sees in a basketball game, at any level.
The Knights, however, would build on that momentum from the end of the half and would storm out of the gates going on a quick 9-3 run to open up the second half. That would prompt a quick time out from WNCC with the score sitting at 53-43, what was a blowout now would turn into a close game.
A combination of the Cougars coming back down to earth mixed with tough defense from the Knights would continue for much of the second half. At numerous times the Knights would get the lead down to 9 points before WNCC would go on a mini run of their own and push it back into double digits.
WNCC started to sweat as their shot was not falling while the Knights were gaining momentum. Another time out with 9:43 left on the clock by the Cougars that tried to stave off Knights momentum. At that point the score stood at 69-58.
Finally with about 7 minutes remaining the Knights would start their push. A group of Da’May Jones, Jakub Karwowski, Courtney Miller, Tim Johnson and Edgars Kaufmanis would be the magic lineup and push the lead below that 9 point barrier and further. Kaufmanis would get in a foul trouble and would be swapped out for Ilya Tyrtyshnik.
With 4:09 left in the game, Tyrtyshnik would hit a three point shot from the top of the key that would tie the game at 71-71. The Knights had done the improbable and clawed back from 20 points down to tie things up.
Another quick time out by WNCC would prove to be what they needed. The season previous the Cougars were eliminated in the 2nd round of the National Championship tournament and used that experience to close out a game at home. They would finish the game on an 11-5 run and take the victory 82-76.
Leading the way for the Knights was Tim Johnson with 23 points. Courtney Murrell would put in 16 and Karwowski would be in double digits with 10 points.
Karwowski would also snag 12 rebounds for the Knights.
WNCC carries the #1 seed and will get a first round bye. The Knights will host McCook in the first round on Saturday March 2nd. The time is still to be determined.