Longhorns win at Mitchell

The Kimball boys put it all together at Mitchell Saturday night to secure a 70-55 win over the taller Tigers. This was certainly the highlight of the week for the Longhorns as they also suffered losses to Sidney (82-46), and Chase County (58-40).

The Horns returned to action at Sidney Thursday evening following a three week layoff from competition and the Class B number three ranked Red Raiders are all they were publicized. They have height, talent, and depth! Kimball did what they do almost every time out and that is play hard and give good effort, but they were simply out classed in this encounter. Once again coach Luke Dea praised the effort of his club.

"We gave good effort and played hard but couldn't match up with Sidney."

Give credit to Jordan Greenwood who showed a lot of composure in working for his shots as he drove inside to get his short jumpers and they were falling as he led Kimball with 17 points on 8/14 shooting from the field including 1 trey. Jaden Withrow tallied 9 points and was 2/5 on 3 pointers. Trent Rutledge finished with 8 and hit his only 3 point attempt. He also charted 7 rebounds and 1 block. Angel Flores also had an 8 point night and was 2 for 2 from beyond the arc. Nathan Magninie and Creg Barker both had 2 points.

Sidney 28 18 18 18 -- 82

Kimball 10 10 17 9 -- 46

The Horns shook off the loss to Sidney the next night at Mitchell and played perhaps their best game of the season in scoring 70 points and finishing out. Seven players scored and four were in double figures for the winners led by Jaden Withrow with 16 including 2 treys. He also played a solid game on defense ending with 4 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 assists. Jordan Greenwood had 13 points and was 2/3 on 3 point shots, along with 8 rebounds and 2 steals. Angel Flores also hit for 13 points and was 5/9 from the field and 2/3 on 3 pointers. Brandon Barker had 8 points. Tyler Magninie finished with 11 and hit 3 treys, had 5 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1 assist. Trent Rutledge had 7 points and a team high 6 assists. Creg Barker scored 2.

A good shooting night for the Horns as they were 9/11 at the line, and 9/18 on 3 point fielders along with 17/48 on 2 point field goals. The Horns rebounded right with their taller opponents with both teams pulling 27 boards with Kimball charted with 13 offensive and 14 defensive grabs. Kimball also charted 12 steals and 13 assists. Also from the stat sheet, the Horns had 16 turnovers and 16 fouls.

Mitchell was 11/15 at the line, 4/10 on 3 pointers and 16/40 on 2 point tries. They were led in scoring by Colby Eberspecher with 14 and Dylan Mehling with 13.

After trailing 33-27 at half time, Kimball exploded for their best quarter of play for 26 points as Withrow hit his first 5 shots and the team was 5/8 on 3 pointers and 10/17 on field goals. Magninie hit a pair of treys during this time frame and Flores and Greenwood both had 1 trey. Coach Dea said "A lot of things went well for us at Mitchell. We played at a high level, a lot like we did at Sidney, but we shot very well and that makes a lot of things look good. I liked our tempo."

Kimball 15 12 26 17 -- 70

Mitchell 14 19 9 13 -- 55

While coach Dea praised the effort of his team at Sidney and Mitchell, he was a bit disappointed with their play against Chase County. "I was disappointed with our play in the Chase County game, but then again, they (Chase County) were fresh and we may have been worn down from the previous two hard fought contests. We also got away from our game plan and didn't shoot as well."

A good night from long range for Tyler Magninie as he hit 4 treys and scored 14 points for a team high. Greenwood had 13 points with 1 trey and also pulled 9 rebounds. Rutledge had 7 points and 9 rebounds, Withrow 4 points and Creg Barker 2.

In team stats Kimball had 10 fouls, 11 turnovers, were 5/12 at the foul line, 5/28 on 3 point field goal attempts, 10/29 on 2 point tries, had 9 offensive and 19 defensive rebounds for 28 total, 7 steals and 6 assists.

Chase County had 43 rebounds, 15 fouls, were 11/17 at the line, 7/19 on 3 pointers and 13/38 on 2 pointers. They had 8 players in the scoring columns led by Dakota Wallin with 20, Ike Maxwell 11, and Jared Sharp 10.

A busy week again for Kimball as they played at Potter-Dix this past Tuesday, and have a pair of home games this weekend hosting a tall and talent loaded Bridgeport club Friday night and then Gordon-Rushville Saturday. They move into SPVA Tournament play on Tuesday (Jan. 19) with opponent and site to be announced later.

Chase Co. 16 15 20 7 -- 58

Kimball 9 9 16 6 -- 40