Plainsmen crowned district champions; heading to state at Lincoln next week

Two sub-district games last week and district finals on Monday night, accompanied with some long hard fights, put Coach Shawn Cole and his Plainsmen on the path to Lincoln. 

For the first time since 2008, the Perkins County boys basketball team is headed to the state championships. 

This is the first trip to State for Coach Cole, his 10th year as coach has been one of many memorable milestones, including his 100th career win. 

After the win, Coach Cole said, “I am overjoyed for the players. The time that they have put into this and seeing what they get in return is unbelievable right now. It has paid off for them. I am so proud to be the coach for their team. I am happy for each and every one of them.” 

Maxwell

In the first round of sub-districts, the PC boys traveled to Hershey to play against Maxwell on Tuesday, Feb. 20. 

A well-matched game in the beginning, both teams managed to have the lead at some point in the first, but it was the Maxwell Wildcats ahead 14-12 going into the second quarter. 

The Plainsmen defense held the Wildcats to just five points in the second, and put up 15 on their side of the board to give them the lead at halftime, 27-19.

The third quarter saw the Plainsmen allow zero points for Maxwell, while 13 points went up for PC, giving them a 19-point lead.

The Wildcats continued to fight in the fourth and managed to take their score to 29, however, it was the Plainsmen with the victory, final score 53-29. 

Sutherland

Thursday, Feb. 22 was the match-up to decide who would play in the final district game. 

The Plainsmen once again headed to Hershey, this time to take on the Sutherland Sailors. 

The Sailors hit the basket and followed it up with a triple pointer to give them a 5-0 lead in the beginning. The Plainsmen went on a nine-point run and took the lead with 9-5 on the board. 

The second quarter saw PC allow nine Sailor points. Thirteen went in for PC, keeping them in the lead 22-14 at halftime. 

The fouls on the Sailors gave PC five points from the courtesy line, with two additional baskets, taking them to a 31-26 lead at the end of the third. 

More fouls by Sutherland kept PC at the free throw line to give them five free points again in the fourth. Three baskets by Tanner Burge in the fourth took PC to 42 by the end of the game. The Sutherland Sailors fell to PC 42-32.

Bridgeport

Perkins County fought the Bridgeport Bulldogs on Monday, Feb. 26 in Sidney, just over a week after they played them at home, beating them 60-54. 

The game started with high energy from both teams, Bridgeport making the first shot of the game. It was Michael Beck who put up the first bucket for PC with about 6:07 on the clock. 

The bulldogs hit the net and drew a foul for the and-one, before Tyson Patrick hit the net for PC.

The Bulldogs took their score to seven and a trey from Beck tied the game. Bridgeport hit two free-throws but a basket from Charles Johnson tied it up again. Alex Patrick found the net before the end of the first, giving the Plainsmen the lead 11-9.

Johnson sank a basket and hit his opportunity for the extra point after a foul on the Bulldogs.

Tyson Patrick and Beck both hit the net to take PC to 17, before the Bulldogs went on a seven-point run giving them 21. 

Spencer Ross was able to sink a ball at the buzzer, and at halftime the score was 21-19, Bridgeport. 

The third quarter saw Tyson Patrick get a shot in that was followed by a six-point run for the Bulldogs.

Beck broke the streak with one in the net, but Bridgeport once again added six points unanswered. 

Johnson drew a foul during a shot that saw him make the extra point once again, before Ross drilled a triple-pointer in what seemed to be a shift in momentum, as Alex Patrick followed with a basket that took PC to 30. A free throw at the end of the third gave Bridgeport 34.

The fourth quarter opened up with a trey from Josh Johnston and was followed by Beck with a basket that brought PC back in the lead, 35-34 with 6:41 left on the clock. 

Johnston found the net again but Bridgeport wasn’t done and upon drawing a foul, two good free throws gave them a 39-37 lead. 

After another free throw and basket, Johnston drew a foul and made both from the courtesy line and the Plainsmen trailed by one point with 4:04 left in the game. 

Johnson found the net and the Plainsmen had the lead, but Bridgeport was quick to take it back with a basket of their own. With 2:51 on the clock, PC was down by one. 

Ross sank a shot with a minute-and-a-half left and ultimately, that was enough, and PC took the win 43-42, and took the title of district champions. 

Senior Michael Beck was the top scorer of the game with 11 points. Charles Johnson had the second most points with eight, while Spencer Ross and Josh Johnston tied for third most points, each with seven. Also contributing to the final score was Tyson Patrick with six points and brother Alex Patrick who put up four. 

Next Action

The 16-7 Plainsmen will travel to Lincoln and play the 27-1 Ponca Indians on March 8 at 7 p.m. CT (6 p.m. MT) at Lincoln Southeast in the first round of state. “We will prepare just like any other game.  One game at a time,” said Coach Cole.

 Stay tuned to the Tribune Facebook page for live updates. Full results will be in the March 14 issue.