BY NOAH ERICHSEN

For the Ellsworth County I-R

The Bearcats had a rough start to their Valentine’s evening Friday when Republic County took the ball during basketball action at Ellsworth.

Overall, the game turned into a thriller with the final reading on the scoreboard 38-37 in the ‘Cats’ favor.

Republic County swiftly scored to start the first quarter and set the odds in their favor. The Bearcats knew they had to stop them.

Ellsworth’s Braden Schulte responded quickly by snatching the ball and scoring the Bearcats’ first points.

Once again Republic County dug deep. They guarded the ball defensively. The Bearcats tried to steal it but to no avail. First quarter ended with 13-4 Republic County.

Bearcat Trey Anderson knew it was time to do something. Anderson swooshed a three-pointer right as the second quarter began.

Republic County countered, but Anderson would have none of it. Anderson promptly showed them who was boss by stealing the ball back and draining a two-pointer. Anderson again grabbed the ball back and ran down the court.

The Republic County Buffs were finally finding their match.

Halftime started 18-14 in favor of Republic County. As the third quarter began the ‘Cats began working like a well-oiled machine as they quickly took the offensive.

The Bearcats slowly overtook the Buffs to gain the lead. Third quarter ended 28-25 Bearcats.

As the fourth quarter began the Bearcats were all in. With 30 seconds left in the game both teams knew it was not over. Bearcats led by five points. The Buffs fought until the very end.

Trey Anderson secured the win by making a free-throw with 10 seconds left. Trey Anderson led the game with 12 points. Avery Haxton had 11. Braden Schulte claimed 8. John Kyler had 5. Luke Sharp had 2.

BY NOAH ERICHSEN

For the Ellsworth County I-R

Ellsworth’s Lakyn Tenbrink started off Friday’s Valentine’ Day game against Republic County when she scooped the ball out of the fingers of a Buff player. It was a hard-fought game on both sides that ended with a

It was a hard-fought game on both sides that ended with a score of 61-43 in Republic County’s favor.

Both teams fought hard in the first quarter of the game. Republic County scored the first point of the night with a free throw. Ellsworth quickly followed with Brenna Pruitt scoring her own free throw. Pruitt sunk two in the first quarter. Jaide Talbott, Maggie Windholz and Makenzie Stroede also put points on the board. However, Republic County slowly inched away from the Lady ‘Cats. First quarter ended with 16-8 Republic County ahead.

The Lady ‘Cats fought hard in the second quarter to get back on top. Ellsworth dug in, but slowly lost ground. Windholz sunk a three pointer. Savannah Hellebust, Lakyn Tenbrink, Natalie Rolfs, and Jaide Talbott each put two points on the board. One time out was called with 7:33 left on the clock. The buzzer sounded for halftime with 29-19 on the board.

The Lady ‘Cats seemed rejuvenated after the half. They quickly scored, trying to turn the tide. Tenbrink scored four points and Talbott put seven points up. Unfortunately for Ellsworth, Republic County knew how to handle the Lady ‘Cats and kept their lead, 47-30.

The Lady Cats saw the clock ticking and swiftly took the offensive. Talbott was the high scorer for the quarter putting up eight points for the Lady ‘Cats followed by Rolfs, 7 and Stroede, 1.

As the clock showed 1:32 minutes left the teams took a timeout. Each team came back to score two points.

Talbott was the high scorer for the Lady ‘Cats with 19 points. She was followed by Rolfs 9; Tenbrink 6; Windholz 5; and Pruitt and Hellebust, each with 2.