The Ellsworth boys’ basketball team took a dominating victory over the Republic County Buffaloes in the Cats Homecoming game Feb. 9 with a final score of 65-25.

After senior Riley Stone won the tip-off, the Cats made it their mission to gain and keep control throughout the game. From a rebound off a shot by senior Will Cravens, senior Layton Leiker put up the first 2 points of the game on a put-back block shot.

The next possession down, Cravens drove on the transition for a slam dunk.

On each trip down the court, the Cats worked together to move the ball across the court and find the perfect shot.

The first quarter ended with a Bearcat lead of 18-6.

Coming out in the second quarter, Ellsworth ran a nearly 40-second possession to gain an open shot by junior Dax Leiker to put up the first 2 points of the quarter.

By taking control on defense, the Cats were able to work the ball offensively for long periods of time to find open jumpers or lanes to drive. They were also able to work the ball into the post, where Stone was able to put a few points on the board.

At the end of the first half, the Cats spread their lead to 33-13.

The Bearcats had the first possession of the second half and Cravens put up a 3-pointer in the first few seconds of the third quarter. Then, on the next trip down, senior Lane Rolfs sank another.

Throughout the duration of the game, the Buffs began to have a more and more difficult time finding ways to score. The Bearcats were able to read their plays and force errors or missed shots.

The third quarter ended with Ellsworth ahead, 55-23.

Stone put up the first 2 points of the third quarter off an assist by Cravens. From there, the Cats aimed to move the ball on offense and hold the Buffs on defense.

Because Ellsworth possessed such a demanding lead, they were able to mix up their lineup and sub in a few more players. In fact, by the end of the game, the entire bench got in the game.

The final score ended with a Bearcat triumph, 65-25.

The team will take on the Bennington Bulldogs at home Feb. 16 for their senior night game.

Minneapolis Feb. 6

The Ellsworth boys’ basketball team won the Feb. 6 game against the Minneapolis Lions 39-30. Senior Will Cravens was the high scorer, earning 13 points for the Bearcats.

From the start, it was clear that it was going to be a close game. Both teams were blocking and scoring in equal measure.

Senior Layton Leiker was high scorer for the first quarter, earning 5 points for the Cats. The quarter ended in a tie, 11-11.

The second quarter was where Minneapolis kicked into high gear, and things weren’t looking good for the Bearcats, who only scored 4 points, with senior Lane Rolfs attaining a 3-pointer and Leiker making a free throw.

The Lions went on to score the same amount they had in the first quarter, ending the second quarter 22-15, Minneapolis.

Unfortunately for the Lions, that was the best they were going to get, as the Bearcats started chipping away at their lead. They only allowed the Lions to score 4 points, stopping them from gaining any ground. Cravens alone was able to score that many points.

Still, the third quarter ended 26-24, with Minneapolis staying slightly ahead.

In the fourth quarter, Lyons seemed to be their own undoing, as the vast majority of the Cats’ points were from free throws. Just about everyone who played that quarter, except Rolfs, made at least 1. The only person who scored by any other means was senior Riley Stone.

The Cats managed to keep their rigid defense, only allowing the Lions to score 4 points for the second time. Ellsworth managed to overcome their second quarter slump, sliding past the Lions to win, 39-30.