Sports

RUSSELL — The No.5-seeded Ellsworth Bearcats competed in the first round of sub-state basketball Feb. 28.The Cats entered the tournament with a 12-8 record and matched up against the fourth-seed Russell Broncos (13-7).

Hosting their last home game before the post-season, the Ellsworth Bearcats defeated the Sacred Heart Knights 62-48 on Feb. 21.The Cats were full of excitement and ready to play from the tipoff. As the they got the first possession, the Knights came out in a man-to-man defense.

After losing 48-28 during their last matchup in Salina, the Bearcats made it their goal to take home the victory on their home court against Sacred Heart Feb. 21. The team fell short of the goal, however, losing to the Knights, 55-40.

By Allie ThomassonEllsworth County I-RTwo Ellsworth wrestlers recently earned their way into the boys’ and girls’ state wrestling competitions. Sophomore Will Donley was the boys’ state competitor and sophomore Riley Rodriguez wrestled at 170 lbs. at the girls’ state meet.Donley wrestled at 126 lbs.

On Saturday, Ellsworth boys headed to Beloit to wrestle at the regional competition.In the 126-pound bracket, sophomore Will Donley began with a bye. He then won both quarterfinal and semifinal matches by fall.

The Ellsworth Bearcats came up short after a nail-biting, double- overtime game Feb. 17 against the Bennington Bulldogs, 56-53.While the Cats started strong, the second half was neck-and-neck.The Bulldogs came out of the gate in a man-to-man defense, while the Cats decided to come out in a 2-3 zone.

The Ellsworth Bearcat girls came out on top of a big game Feb. 14, beating the eighth-place 3A stateranked Southeast of Saline Trojans 42-33.After losing 48-32 in their last matchup at Southeast, the Bearcats were dominant from the tipoff.