Varsity Bobcats remain undefeated

The Hot Springs County High School boys basketball teams played at home Friday against Glenrock and against Buffalo on Saturday.

In the Friday contests, both the varsity and JV teams put up impressive wins against Glenrock, topping their opponents by scores of 64 to 42 and 52 to 34, respectively.

The varsity team showed poise and skill in taking the ball to Glenrock, and continued their undefeated season with an impactful win.

Overall, the JV team moved the ball very well. They showed skill at taking the ball into the key, and then kicking it out, to provide many good looks from beyond the arc. A little more work on three-point range shooting proficiency, and the JV team will be fearsome. They also fielded a determined pressing game, that put Glenrock off its mark.

On Saturday, the JV Team played a tough game against Buffalo, losing a close one, by a score of 36 to 39. The Bisons put on a full court press from the outset, which proved to be unsettling for the JV Boys. While they didn’t come away with a win, the JV Team put on a good show against a team that looked very polished, and who played a heavy, physical game till the end.

The Saturday varsity game saw the then number 3 ranked Buffalo Bisons come to play, what proved to be, a very hard-nosed event. Both teams looked polished, and the game was tough and physical from the start, with both teams spending much of the game in the Bonus. In the end, however, the Bisons were left heading for the bus, to “shuffle off to Buffalo”.

While the Bisons employed a strong press from the outset, the Cats matched their speed and intensity with a strong press of their own, and that appeared to frustrate the team from Buffalo. The Bobcats played a cleaner game in the fourth quarter, staying out of the Bonus, which may have proved to be the key to the win.

The Cats put up 3-pointers from Zak Hastie (3), Cody Bomengen (2) and Kanyon Gerber. Andrue Howell was poised at the line, making some very key free throws. Armani Dukes played a controlled, albeit aggressive, defense in the paint. Cody Bomengen had a blocked shot in the fourth quarter, which was highlight reel material, and brought the fans to their feet.

Coach Shane Corpening commented, “The relentless press from Buffalo had the potential to turn momentum in their favor, but the team never gave up, and I was impressed with the way they responded. The three pointers Zak put up were very timely, and Armani is a force on defense.”

On the heels of their weekend performance, the Cats are now ranked number 4 in the state, and number 3 among class 3A schools, but that’s not turning coach Corpening’s head, “That’s a really cool achievement, but I don’t put a lot of emphasis on rankings – especially this early in the season,” he said.

It was a great game, that came down to the final few seconds. If you missed it, you really missed out - best make sure you are there next time.

Up next for the Cats will be the Pinedale Tournament after the holiday break.