Continuing the Crook County News Since 1884

Bulldogs claim conference title, will open state tourney against Greybull

Lady Bulldogs win districts, headed to state as #2 seed

SHS Boys

It was a busy post-season weekend for the Sundance boys’ basketball team as they competed in the 2A Northeast District Tournament and the 2A Regional Seeding tournament. 

Making the short trip to Moorcroft on Thursday, the Bulldogs opened up the tournament competing against the Moorcroft Wolves. Taking a 46-29 victory, the Bulldogs secured a place in the state tournament.

The second game of the evening placed the Bulldogs against the number three seeded Big Horn Rams. Coming off of an overtime upset over the Tongue River Eagles, the Rams were looking to continue their upsetting night and knock the Bulldogs out of their number one spot. However, the poise and play of the Bulldogs led them to a 49-42 victory, securing their number one or two seeding in the state tournament.

The regional seeding took place in Big Horn on Saturday as the Bulldogs faced the Hornets of Pine Bluffs. In another victory for the Bulldogs (57-42), they secured their number one seed from the east in the state tournament.

The Sundance Bulldogs will face the number four seed from the west, Greybull on Fri., Mar. 5. The game will tip off at noon from the Ford Wyoming Center (formerly the Casper Events Center).

A victory in the opening round will advance the Bulldogs to the semifinal game at 7:30 p.m. that evening, while a loss would put them at the 10:30 a.m. game on Sat., Mar. 6. The other two teams competing on their side of the bracket are Big Horn, #3 from the east and Big Piney, #2 from the west.

SHS Girls

Post-season play was underway for the Lady Bulldogs this past weekend as they competed in the 2A Northeast District Tournament in Wright on Thursday as well as the Regional Tournament in Big Horn on Saturday. 

Round one of the 2A northeast district tournament placed the #2 seeded Bulldogs against the #3 seeded Tongue River Eagles. The last two meetings of these teams ended in favor of the Bulldogs and this meet up was no different.

Jumping out to a quick 22-9 lead after one half of play, the Bulldogs established a comfortable cushion for the second half of the ballgame. Senior Sherry Negaard led the effort for the Lady Bulldogs with 10 points and 8 rebounds, followed closely by teammates Cana McInerney and Nevada Gill who each contributed 9 points.

This well-balanced scoring effort by the Lady Bulldogs allowed them to maintain the lead and take a 48-31 victory. A win over the Eagles put the Lady Bulldogs into the championship round where they would face a familiar foe, the Moorcroft Lady Wolves.

The last two meetings between the Lady Bulldogs and Wolves, the Bulldogs found themselves down early and having to work their way back into the game, falling just short of the victory. This meeting, however, was different.

The Lady Bulldogs jumped on the board with a 16-9 lead after one quarter of play. A second quarter slump for Sundance would allow the Wolves to sneak back into the game, however, the Bulldogs maintained a small lead 20-19 going into halftime.

The second half of play was anyone’s ballgame with both teams vying for the district championship. The Bulldogs were able to build upon their tiny lead, doubling it to two, at the end of the third quarter, 31-29.

The fourth quarter continued to be evenly matched and down to the wire. In the end, it was the Lady Bulldogs who were able to maintain their two-point margin of victory as they defeated the Lady Wolves 40-38 for the 2A Northeast District Tournament. This victory guaranteed the Lady Bulldogs a #1 or #2 seed, from the east, heading into the state tournament. 

Stats for the Games

SHS Boys vs. Moorcroft 46-29

Scoring: Martin 12 (6/8 FT, 0/3 3 pt.), Gill 12 (2/8 3 pt.), McLaughlin 10 (0/1 FT, 0/1 3 pt.), Rudloff 6 (0/3 3 pt.), Kruger 4 (2/2 FT, 0/5 3 pt.), Kammerer 1 (1/3 FT), Gillespie 1 (1/2 FT)

Rebound leaders: Martin 8, Gillespie 8, McLaughin 7

Assist Leaders: Martin 5, Kruger 2

Steal Leaders: Kruger 6, Martin 4

SHS Boys vs. Big Horn 49-42

Scoring: McLaughlin 17 (3/6 FT, 0/3 3 pt.), Kruger 12 (0/1 FT, 2/5 3 pt.), Gill 10 (0/3 3 pt.), Martin 8 (2/3 FT, 0/3 3 pt.) Rudloff 2 (0/3 3 pt.)

Rebound leaders: Gill 10, Gillespie 6, Martin 6

Assist Leaders: Martin 3, McLaughlin 3

Steal Leaders: Martin 1, Rudloff 1, McLaughlin 1, Gill 1

SHS Boys vs. Pine Bluffs 57-42

Scoring: Kruger 15 (2/3 FT, 3/6 3 pt.), Martin

SHS Girls vs. Tongue River 48-31

Scoring: Negaard 10 (0/1 FT, 0/4 3 pt.), McInerney 9 (5/6 FT, 0/1 3 pt.), Gill 9 (3/6 FT, 2/5 3 pt.), Heaster 8 (2/3 FT), A. Marchant 8 (6/8 FT, 0/3 3 pt.), Ba Hofland 4 (0/2 FT)

Rebound Leader: Negaard 8, Heaster 5, Ba. Hofland 4

Assist Leaders: Heaster 1, Gill 1, Negaard 1

Steal Leaders: Heaster 6, McInerney 4, Ba. Hofland 3

SHS Girls vs. Moorcroft 40-38

Scoring: Negaard 9 (3/4 FT, 0/1 3 pt.), Heaster 9 (2/6 FT, 1/2 3 pt.), A. Marchant 8 (2/2 3 pt.), Gill 5 (1/3 3 pt.), Ba. Hofland 4 (0/1 FT), McInerney 3 (1/1 3 pt.), Skeens 2 (0/1 FT, 0/1 3 pt.), 

Rebound leaders: Ba. Hofland 4, Skeens 3

Steal Leaders; Heaster 4, A. Marchant 3

Assist Leader: Negaard 3

SHS Girls vs. Lusk 35-36

Scoring: Negaard 10 (5/6 FT, 1 3 pt.), McInerney 9 (2/2 FT, 1 3 pt.), Gill 7 (1/2 FT, 2 3 pt.), Heaster 7 (2/3 FT, 1 3 pt.), Skeens 1 (1/2 FT)

Rebound Leaders: McInerney 9, Heaster 6, Negaard 4

Assist Leader: Negaard 2

Steal Leaders: Negaard 2, Gill 2

The seeding for the state tournament took place on Saturday in Big Horn, where the Lady Bulldogs faced off against the Lusk Tigers. It was another evenly matched game for the Bulldogs, who took a 21-18 lead going into the break.

The Bulldogs were able to maintain their lead throughout the third quarter, 29-23. As the fourth quarter of play opened up the Lusk Tigers began to make their move. They would go on to outscore the Lady Bulldogs 13-6 and sneak away with a one-point victory, 36-35. 

The Sundance Lady Bulldog will advance into the state tournament as the #2 seed from the east and face off against the #3 seed from the west, Shoshoni, at 9 a.m. on Fri., Mar. 5 at Casper College. With a victory, the Lady Bulldogs would advance to the semifinal game at 4:30 p.m. that evening, while a loss would put them at the 9 a.m. game on Sat., Mar. 6. The other two teams on their side of the bracket are Wyoming Indian #1 from the west and Pine Bluffs #4 east.