Gering Proves Too Much for Laramie Twice

Saturday's championship games of the 2014 Cabela's Holiday Shootout in Sidney, Nebraska saw both Laramie high school basketball teams lose to Gering, NE. The Lady Plainsmen fell in overtime by a final of 51-42, while the Plainsmen were no match for the Bulldogs in a 67-38 defeat.

The Laramie Lady Plainsmen (4-4) rallied from a 14-point deficit at the start of the fourth quarter and forced overtime, but couldn't sustain the momentum and lost by 9. Laramie trailed by 3 at half, 22-19, but scored only 1 point in the third quarter. Down 34-20 at the start of the final period, the Lady Plainsmen got clutch baskets, took advantage of missed free throws by the Lady Bulldogs and forced 9 Gering turnovers. LHS had a 20-6 advantage on the scoreboard in the 4th and tied the game with 27 seconds left. Gering missed a shot to win it at the end of regulation, but they controlled the overtime, as they out-scored Laramie 11-2.

Three players scored in double figures, led by Jacqui Pulley and Caitlan Hensley with 11 points each. Savannah Cox added 10 points off the bench. Hensley led LHS with 10 rebounds. The Lady Plainsmen were 15-55 (27%) from the field, 3-16 (19%) from deep and 9-15 (60%) at the foul line. They were out-rebounded 35-32.

Gering (7-4) was led by Kaylee Spreier with 15 points. The Lady Bulldogs went 15-35 (43%) from the floor, which included only 1-3 (33%) from 3-point range. They were 20-30 (67%) at the stripe.

Things didn't goes even that well for the Laramie Plainsmen. They played solid for the first quarter, but got blown out after that, as Gering rolled to the 29-point victory.

There was a little back-and-forth early with 2 lead changes and four ties, but the Bulldogs held a 14-10 lead after the first quarter. Then they held LHS to 7 points in the second and led 32-17 at halftime. The lead ballooned to 35 points once in the second half.

Laramie (2-6) was led by Tommy Nachtigal with 10 points. They shot just 33 percent (14-42) from the floor, 4-20 (20%) from 3 and 6-10 (60%) at the line. The Plainsmen were out-rebounded 31-21.

Gering (9-2) was led by Austin Hoffman with a game-high 25 points off the bench. Grant Olson added 19 points. The Bulldogs shot 51 percent (26-51) from the field, 4-12 (33%) from deep and went 11-16 (69%) at the charity stripe. They also forced 19 LHS turnovers.

Both Laramie teams return to the court Thursday at the 2014 Bill Strannigan East-West Challenge in Riverton. The Plainsmen and Lady Plainsmen will take on Evanston, Riverton and Kelly Walsh in their three games next weekend.

All the action will be live on KOWB (AM 1290) with David Settle and VerDon Hoopes on the broadcasts.