Bears cruise to SubDistrict title
PONCA — The Laurel-Concord-Coleridge boys were set to play for a shot at the Class D1 state tournament Tuesday after claiming the D1-4 SubDistrict title last week.
Last Tuesday, the Bears opened with an easy 66-26 win over Homer, jumping out to a 42-13 halftime lead on their way to the opening-round win in Ponca.
Four Bears finished in double figures, led by Ty Erwin’s 16 points. Evan Haisch and Noah Schutte both had 14 points and Cael Hartung tossed in 12. Also scoring were Wilton Roberts with four and Dillon Olson, Jake Rath and Austin Hall with two apiece.
Schutte finished with 13 rebounds, Hartung had eight and Haisch and Hall each had four. Erwin recorded three assists and Roberts and Hartung each had three steals.
In Thursday’s SubDistrict final, the Bears rolled to a 73-40 win over Hartington-Newcastle, using a strong second half to pull away with the big win.
The Orange and Black defense caused all kinds of trouble for the Wildcats.
“Laurel, I just think their full-court pressure really affected us and got us out of sorts,” said HNS coach Nick Haselhorst. “They are a really talented team and we didn’t take advantage of our opportunities around the rim. Schutte really took over in the second half.”
Schutte dropped a game-high 29 points and Haisch added 14 for the Bears. Also scoring were Erwin with nine, Hartung with eight, Schmitt and Hall with three each, Rath, Landen Boysen and Lucas Rasmussen each had two and Deagan Puppe kicked in a free throw.
Schutte led the team with 13 rebounds, eight assists and three steals. Hartung had nine boards and two steals and Schmitt had three assists.
LCC was playing Anselmo-Merna in Tuesday’s district final at Albion’s Boone Central High School.
The winner advances to next week’s state tournament in Lincoln.
LCC 23 21 16 6 — 66
Homer 5 8 8 5 — 26
LCC — Roberts 4, Olson 2, Hartung 12, Rath 2, Schutte 14, Haisch 14, Erwin 16, Hall 2.
HOMER — Scoring not available.
LCC 18 10 22 23 — 73
Hart.-New. 9 14 7 10 — 40
LCC — Schmitt 3, Hartung 8, Boysen 2, Rath 2, Schutte 29, Haisch 14, Erwin 9, Puppe 1, Rasmussen 2, Hall 3.
HART.-NEW. — Morten 16, Heitman 12, Harms 6, Meisenheimer 4, Scoggan 2.
