BELOIT --- Ellsworth lost the game -- 69-43 -- to the Trojans, but gained a moral victory in the North Central Activities Association contest in Beloit.

The Bearcats played the basketball that they are capable of playing in the first half versus third-ranked 3A Beloit, shocking the Trojans with a 20-13 lead by the end of the first quarter of Beloit’s Homecoming game.

The ‘Cats had a 10-point lead, 25-15, with 5:30 left in the second quarter and owned a slim 27-26 as time expired in the period.

The 3-ball shooting of Beloit’s Hunter Post gave the Trojans the lead early in the third quarter and his subsequent play enabled Beloit to seal the win.

It was a fun game to watch.

The Lady ‘Cats had little trouble with the Lady Trojans, whipping a young, but talented team 47-28.

Senior Lainey Dunn made a lot of good defensive plays on the floor and good rebounding on both sides of the court were keys to the win.

NATOMA --- The Dragons got a win, 62-48 over the Tigers of Natoma led by Marcus Denham’s 23-point game. Cole Zelenka was also in double-digits with 16-points.

Lady Karlie Steinle racked up another double-double on the season in the 49-36 Wilson win over the Lady Tigers.

ST. JOHN --- The Central Plains Lady Oilers, ranked seventh in 2A play, beat their arch-rivals and third-ranked 1A Division I Lady Tigers, 37-36 in St. John.

It was an impressive win for the Lady Oilers, as the Lady Tigers are a good basketball team.


The top-ranked 1A Division I Tigers beat the Oilers 53-35.

The Bearcat grapplers travel to the tough Phillipsburg Wrestling Tournament Saturday.

Read about Ellsworth County sporting events in the Feb. 7 edition of the I-R.