by Keith Kelley–31 Jan ’15
With their backs against the wall, the Cheyenne Central boys basketball team needed a win at home over Gillette to keep pace in the 4A East Conference race. It wasn’t easy, but the Indians made plays down the stretch, and rallied from down seven at the half, to beat the Camels 55-50 this (Saturday) afternoon at the Fieldhouse.
Gillette had all the momentum at the half, after forcing a late turnover and turning that into an easy lay-up to end the half up 31-24. A technical foul called on the Indians as the teams were leaving the floor meant that Gillette would start the second half with two free throws and the ball. Camel’s sharp-shooter Cale Miessler made just one of two from the line, and then the Central defense held their own, so they only gave up one point during that key start of the half. Indians head coach Tagg Lain said that was a pivotal part of the game.
Gillette started the game out hot from three-point range, knocking down seven first-half three-pointers in building that seven point lead at the break. But the Central defense stiffened up in the second half, holding the Camels to just 19 points total, and just two three-point buckets. Lain says that defensive effort led that second half charge, and adds that he’s extremely pleased with how his team fought with their backs against the wall.
Junior Brock Anderson had a big game with 17 points, while Nicholas Fraley added 14 for the Indians. Central iced the game at the line, shooting 7-9 from the charity stripe in the fourth quarter. The Indians improved to 7-7 overall and 2-1 in the conference. Gillette drops to 6-9 and 1-3.
#3 Gillette girls 51 #4 Cheyenne Central 30
The Cheyenne Central girls played an emotional game Friday night, in a narrow loss to second-ranked Sheridan. Gillette kept their momentum going from their win over #1 Cheyenne East, as the Lady Camels rolled to a 51-30 win Saturday afternoon. The Lady Indians hung tough through the first eight minutes, but Gillette would hold Central scoreless in the second quarter, and jumped out to a 26-9 lead at the half and never look back. Lady Indians head coach Curtis Martindale said that just couldn’t match the physical play of Gillette, and it showed.
Emily Evans paced Central with 16 points, while Gillette’s Jessie Geer led the way with 22 points. Geer averaged 25 points on the trip through the Capital City. The Lady Indians drop to 10-5 overall and 0-3 in the East Conference. The Lady Camels are now 13-2 and 4-0.
Other scores:
Boys
#1 Cheyenne East 68 #5 Sheridan 61
Girls
#2 Sheridan 71 #1 Cheyenne East 67
