The Howells-Dodge Boys lost 55-44 at home to Madison in the first round of the East Husker Conference Tournament Saturday evening.
The Dragons led 13-9 after one. The Jaguars won the second quarter 11-10 to make it a 23-20 game at halftime.
Howells-Dodge outscored Madison 18-12 in a third quarter that saw the Jaguars go on a 9-2 run to begin the quarter only to see the Dragons go on an 8-0 run of their own. The score after three though was 38-35 in favor of Howells-Dodge.
Madison had the last laugh though, outlasting the Jaguars 20-6 in the fourth quarter.
Howells-Dodge was led by Connor Blum, who had 13 points. Lane Hegemann added 7 points and 8 rebounds.
Head Coach Cole Fischer sums up the loss. "We gave up too many second chance points and shot poorly from the free throw line."
Fischer says his team struggled once again. "To start the game I thought we got some real nice looks underneath. A couple 3-4 footers about 5 possessions in a row, and not one went down. And I think we got a little flustered after that. And then we battled back, and once again you get to the free throw line, and that's pry kind of been our Achilles' Heel all year long."
The Jaguars (9-9) will host Wisner-Pilger (6-11) in a consolation game Friday evening at 5:00 p.m.
The Gators lost 41-38 to West Point-Beemer in the first round of the tournament on Saturday.
Wisner-Pilger defeated Howells-Dodge 56-39 in Howells on January 13th.
This is an interesting game in my mind. Both teams are kind of struggling at the moment, and could really use a win.
Both teams really need a win given their schedule for the rest of the regular season.
The Jaguars have games with North Bend Central, Wakefield, and Lutheran High Northeast to end the regular season so this game with the Gators is absolutely critical.
I would call this game a must win for Howells-Dodge.
The Jaguars have to play with a sense of urgency and purpose Friday night.
I'm sure Howells-Dodge and Wisner-Pilger for that matter would much rather be playing in the winner's bracket, but somehow someway the Jaguars have to find some will, strength, and motivation from within to play a good game.
Howells-Dodge has to want to be there as I feel this is a critical game to their season.
The Jaguars are going to have to play one of their better games of the year to come out on top, in my opinion.
Howells-Dodge can't have a repeat of the first time these two teams played. The Jaguars have to perform at a much higher level.
With that said, I don't think the Gators are playing as well as they were then so that has to give Howells-Dodge some hope.
I feel the Jaguars are playing at about the same level now as they were when they took on Wisner-Pilger the first time so we'll see what Howells-Dodge can do.
The Howells-Dodge Girls knocked off BRLD 56-25 in the East Husker Conference Tournament Quarterfinals at home Monday night.
The Jaguars jumped out to a 13-4 lead after one before doubling up the Wolverines 16-8 in the second quarter to take a 29-12 lead into the locker room.
Howells-Dodge outscored BRLD 21-6 in the third quarter to lead 50-18 after three.
The Wolverines won the fourth quarter 7-6.
Sam Brester led all scorers with 18 points and had 12 rebounds, good enough for a double-double. Chelsea Bayer totaled 12 points while Kalli Brester added 11. Erin Prusa registered 10 points and 9 rebounds.
Head Coach Scott Polacek. "I thought we did a very good job of getting in their face when Vicki Gatzemeyer got away from us. So we did a good job on defense no doubt about it cause they're a good team."
Polacek praised his girls' offensive effort. "I guess as long as I've been coaching and doing this job four girls in double figures you almost never lose. Sometimes in guys you can still get beat, but four girls in double figures, I mean it's a matchup nightmare when you can do that. And I guess I'm very proud of the girls for trying to get that done."
The Jaguars (17-2) square off with Pender (16-4) in the tournament semifinals at home Thursday night.
The Pendragons knocked off Tekamah-Herman 56-42 in the Quarterfinals Monday night.
These two teams met in Pender on January 21st with Howells-Dodge winning 55-45.
I expect the Jaguars to play a great game again, but I full expect the Pendragons to play a great game as well.
Both of these teams are great, and I fully expect an excellent, slugfest of a game Thursday night.
I think Howells-Dodge stands a good chance to win, but you can bet Pender will give the Jaguars a great game.
I wouldn't be surprised if this game was decided by 5 points or less. I think the Pendragons are a good enough team to at least keep this game within single digits.
But given the way Howells-Dodge played against BRLD you never know what might happen.
I feel the Jaguars are playing great right now, and not a lot is stopping them.
Howells-Dodge has to continue to build on what they've done all season, and play their game.
If the Jaguars can get the same type of offensive production they got against the Wolverines they're going to be awfully difficult to beat.
Perhaps more impressive than their offense in that game though was their defense.
To hold BRLD to 25 points is a tremendous accomplishment.
I think defense is ultimately going to be key in this game too.
Howells-Dodge has to try and slow down the likes of Kam Anderson, Cecilee Jacobsen, Amber English, Hallie Ballinger, and others.
Game time is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. on 107.9 the Bull.
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