By Staff
GODDARD – The McPherson Middle School eighth-grade boys basketball ‘B’ team traveled to Goddard on Saturday to play in a three-team tournament where they lost twice.
In the first game the 8th grade Junior Pups lost a one-point heartbreaker, 35-34 despite Dane Becker getting 10 points, Nolan Pearcy hitting for seven and Ben Bocox scoring six.
“The guys gave a strong effort today against a couple of tough teams,” noted ‘B’ team coach David Goerzen. “I thought our guys showed a lot of resilience during our first game against Maize South. We were down by more than ten points at one time but were able to fight our way back into the game during the fourth quarter. We even had the ball at the end of the game with a chance to win it with a last second shot. Unfortunately, our attempts failed. It is good to know our guys will never give up, even when they are down.”
For the second game against host Goddard Eisenhower, the Junior Pups lost again, this time by six, 24-28. Becker again led the scoring with 16.
Concluding his reflections on the two games, coach Goerzen said, “The second game was tougher matchup. We ended up getting down early to Goddard Eisenhower, and every time we seemed to be closing the point gap, they would score. We just made too many mistakes against a good team.”
Now 2-4 for the season, the 8th grade ‘B’ team will battle Hutchinson on Monday and Salina South on Thursday.
Against Maize South:
Team lost 35-34.
Scoring Leaders > Dane Becker – 10; Nolan Pearcy – 7; Ben Bocox – 6; Finn Bauer – 5.
Against Goddard Eisenhower:
Team lost 34-28.
Scoring Leaders > Dane Becker – 16; Nolan Pearcy – 6.
(The Staff covering McPherson County Activities can be reached by email at crossdovewriter@gmail.com)