|
 |
| Search |
|
|
ASSOCIATED
PRESS
Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video
material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for
broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly
in any medium. Neither these AP materials nor any portion
thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and
non-commercial use. AP will not be held liable for any delays,
inaccuracies, errors or omissions there from or in the
transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any
damages arising from any of the foregoing. |
|
|
| |
There is a lot on the line for the Western Nebraska Community College and Laramie County Community College men’s basketball teams when they hook up in an important sub-region contest tonight at 7:30 in Scottsbluff at the Cougar Palace.
The teams are essentially deadlocked at the top of the south sub-region standings, and are two of the hottest teams in the region. WNCC improved to 16th in the nation this week and is on a 6 game winning streak with an 18-3 overall record and 5-0 in the sub-region.
Laramie County is only 11-10, but has won 5 straight....including 70-59 Tuesday over Eastern Wyoming....and sits at 6-1 in the sub-region.
“This is one of the biggest games of the year and like I tell the guys, it is not something I say before every game,” WNCC coach Russ Beck said.
“It just happens to be that every game we have played over the last few weeks, each game has been the biggest game of the year. But, now, this is the biggest game of the year. They [LCCC] believe they are right in the hunt to hosting the regional tournament as well. We don’t want that to happen; we want that to be right here at Cougar Palace.”
What makes the game even more important is the winner will hold the tie-breaker in the sub-region since they only play once in conference play. The winner of the south sub-region will host the Region IX tournament March 9-13.
“We don’t want it to come down to a tie-breaker situation so this is an important game because is the only time we play each other,” Beck said. “We have to come out ready to play, have the right intensity and mentality and get the job done.”
That is why WNCC is taking this game like it was a national championship contest. LCCC is a team that has been playing well and they feature some talented players.
“You cannot under estimate them,” Beck said “I had an opportunity to go and watch them last night [Tuesday] when they played Eastern Wyoming. Obviously, Phillip Freeman, Rodrigo Silva and Uti Ifeanyichukwu are three guys that we really have to focus in on.”
Against EWC on Tuesday, Freeman paced the Golden Eagles with 21 points while Rodrigo Silva had 17 points and 16 rebounds. Freeman, Silva and Charles Cooks are LCCC’s leading scorers, averaging in double figures. Freeman is scoring at a pop of 15.9 points a game.
Silva will be a player to watch especially since the 6-foot-9 forward, who can shoot the 3-pointer already signed with Texas Tech during the November early signing period.
Beck said they know what LCCC will do, but the focus is on how his team plays. “The factor for us is that we make sure we do what we know how to play,” he said. “We have to worry about ourselves; our own execution, our own intensity, and our own effort.”
After Thursday’s contest, the Cougars will be back in action Saturday when they host North Platte Community College in another sub-region contest beginning at 11 a.m. The game was moved to the early start because of the Western Trails Conference basketball tournament that is being held at Cougar Palace Friday and Saturday.
NOTES: Thursday’s contest with LCCC will also feature the Gering Up 6th grade boys basketball team playing at halftime. Lincoln Heights Elementary is the Elementary School of the Game as students, faculty and staff will be admitted free for both Thursday’s and Saturday’s 11 a.m. contest with North Platte Community College. Kid’s Club members will also receive free hot dogs on Thursday with their Kids Club card from the concession stand.
Men’s Region IX Standings
South Sub-Region
Team Subregion Overall
WNCC 5-0 18-3
Laramie County 6-1 11-10
NE Colorado 4-1 10-10
Otero J.C. 4-2 19-3
North Platte 4-2 13-8
McCook CC 2-3 12-9
Eastern Wyoming 2-4 7-13
Trinidad State 1-5 7-14
Lamar CC 0-5 6-14
NE Nebraska 0-5 6-14
North Sub-Region
Team Subregion Overall
Miles CC 6-2 18-4
NW Wyoming 5-3 17-5
Sheridan College 5-3 16-4
Central Wyoming 5-3 16-4
Casper College 5-3 14-6
Gillette College 4-4 13-8
Western Wyoming 4-4 16-5
Dawson CC 2-6 7-9
Little Big Horn 0-8 7-13
© Copyright by Double Q
Country Radio
Top of Page
|
|
|
|
