Mixed results for basketball this week

SHS Boys vs. NSI

The Sundance Bulldogs were able to hold NSI to single digit scoring for three quarters as they pulled off a 57-30 victory on Friday night.

While it was an excruciatingly slow start to the game it was not from lack of effort on either team. The Bulldogs defense pressured the Wolves and forced multiple turnovers in which they were unable to capitalize.

With 4:30 left in the first quarter, the score was 3-2 in favor of the Bulldogs. As the second quarter got underway, Kye Taylor was able to knock down a three and Lane Gill game up with a steal and assist to Taylor and the Bulldogs were off and running. With a halftime score of 25-16 the Bulldogs had a comfortable lead over the Wolves.

The second half of play saw the Bulldog bench getting some action on the court as their lead increased to 31-18 with 3:19 left to play in the 3rd. The Wolves couldn’t get their offense working as the Bulldogs kept coming up with steals and the 57-30 victory

SHS Boys vs. Hill City

The Bulldogs lost in a nail biter on Saturday night as they came up short in the final seconds, falling to the Hill City Rangers 50-53.

Senior Taylor Edwards of Hill City was a force to be reckoned with as he led the Rangers in scoring with 15 points in the first half. While Sundance was able to keep the score close, a Kye Taylor steal and assist to Gunner McLaughlin brought the team within three as the buzzer sounded for halftime.

Lane Gill was able to sink a big three in the start of the third quarter, bringing the Bulldogs within one. Shortly thereafter, Taylor came up with another steal and assist to McLaughlin, putting the Bulldogs in the lead. Hill City tried to get the ball to Edwards in hopes of regaining the lead. While the Bulldog defense was able to slow his scoring in the paint, they sent him to the free throw line down the stretch where he was just as effective.

Big second chances to start the fourth quarter ended up with Gill draining another three to keep the Bulldog momentum going. As the Rangers pressured the Bulldog ball handlers, they came up with some key steals to bring them back within one, 49-50, with two minutes left to play.

A Bulldog turnover and another score by Edwards put the Rangers in the lead with 18 seconds remaining. While Sundance was hoping for the last shot, Edwards came up with another steal for the Rangers and was sent to the line with 8 seconds left on the clock.

Making both his free throws, Edwards puts the Rangers up by three. With time on the clock for one final play, the Bulldogs hustled down the court and were able to get a three point shot off, unfortunately it fell short and the Rangers walked away with the 54-51 victory.

The Bulldogs will be back in action as they open up their conference play against the Wright Panthers on Thursday night at 7p.m. and the Big Horn Rams Saturday at 1 p.m.

Stats from the games:

Sundance vs. NSI 57-30

Scoring: Martin 17 (4/5 FT), Chandler 12 (0/2FT), Taylor 9 (1/2 FT), Gill 6, Gillespie 4 (2/2 FT), Hofland 3 (1/7 FT), Rudloff 2, McLaughlin 2 (0/2 FT)

Rebound Leaders: Chandler 8, Martin 8, Gillespie 6, Hofland 5

Steal Leaders: Martin 3

Sundance vs. Hill City 50-53

Scoring: Gill 14 (4/4 FT), Martin 8 (1/4 FT) Gillespipe 7 (1/2 FT), Chandler 7 (1/3 FT), McLauglin 6, Hofland 4 (4/6 FT), Taylor 4 (1/2 FT)

Rebound leaders: Gillespie 13, Gill 9, Chandler 6

Steal Leaders Taylor 2, Martin 2

SHS Girls vs. Harding County

The Sundance girls’ basketball team battled the Harding County Ranchers and the Hill City Rangers this week on the hardcourt.

Walking away with a ten point victory over the Ranchers on Thursday night, the Lady Bulldogs were able improve their record to 6-4 on the season. Senior Madison Gill led the Lady Bulldogs in scoring and rebounding as she put up 14 points and pulled down 11 rebounds on the night.

The first half of play was evenly matched as Sundance went into the break leading by only one point. A strong third quarter of scoring on behalf of the Lady Bulldogs was enough to keep the lead and pull out a victory.

SHS Girls vs. Hill City

On Saturday afternoon the Lady Bulldogs tipped off against the Hill City Rangers. The Rangers proved to be one quick team as the pushed the ball and pressured the Lady Bulldogs into turning the ball over 33 times. “We are still struggling with the full court pressure but we are going to work, work, work on it,” Coach Joni Ellsbury stated.

The Lady Bulldogs struggled in the first half of play, scoring only 12 points and getting into some foul trouble which sent the Lady Rangers to the free-throw line. Shooting 50% from the free throw line in the first half, Hill City was in the lead, 16-12 after two quarters of play.

Senior Madison Gill was able to find her groove as the second half of play got underway. Scoring eight consecutive points for the Lady Bulldogs, she was able to close the gap. Unfortunately, as the third quarter wound down, Gill took a hard hit and was sidelined for the rest of the game. Unable to get the shots to fall down the stretch, the Lady Bulldogs fell to the Hill City Rangers 25-48.

The loss put the Lady Bulldogs Record at 6-5 on the season. Another tough week of play will come this week as the Sundance girls will be hosting the 10-3 Wright Panthers on Thursday night at 5:30 and the 7-3 Big Horn Rams on Saturday.

Stats from the games:

Sundance vs. Harding County 42-32

Scoring: M. Gill 14 (4/7FT), T. Marchant 7 (3/5 FT), Negaard 7 (4/10 FT), N.Gill 5 (1/3FT) A. Marchant 4, Br.Hofland 2 (0/3 FT), Amann 2, Ba. Hofland 1 (1/3 FT)

Rebound Leaders: M. Gill 11, T. Marchant 8, Ba .Hofland 7, Negaard 6, A. Marchant 5,

Steals Leaders: A. Marchant 5, Negaard 4

Sundance vs. Hill City 25-48

Scoring: M. Gill 14, A. Marchant 2 (2/4 FT), N. Gill 2, McInerney 2 (2/2FT), Ba. Hofland 2, Negaard 1 (1/2 FT)

Rebound Leaders: Br. Hofland 6, T. Marchant 6

Steals Leaders: N. Gill 3