A tough nut to crack

On Tuesday, Dec. 27, the Central Cass Squirrels took on the New Rockford-Sheyenne Rockets in New Rockford.

The Rockets, still without a win entering Tuesday afternoon's game, were once again unable to pose a significant challenge to their opponents.

The undefeated Squirrels opened the game with full-court pressure, which kept the Rockets grounded for much of the first half. The intense pressure led to a number of turnovers which the Squirrels often converted into points.

Central Cass was particularly potent from 3-point range, as their perimeter passing often led to open looks from beyond the arc.

By the end of the first half, the Rockets had mustered just nine points to the Squirrels' 47.

With such a large point discrepancy, Central Cass let off the gas somewhat in the second half, allowing the Rockets to finally establish at least some consistent offense.

The game was largely a formality at that point, but freshman Easton Simon and sophomore Bennett Meier once again showed some promise for the future, leading the team with 10 and six points, respectively.

But despite their best efforts, Central Cass walked away with a dominant 74-29 win to remain undefeated on the young season. The Rockets' B- and C-Squad teams also lost Tuesday afternoon by scores of 71-30 and 58-45, respectively.

The Rockets' next game is scheduled for Saturday, January 7 at Wilton (A,B,C), starting with c-squad at 1:30 p.m.

Non-Region

Boys' Basketball

NR-S 29, Central Cass 74

Tuesday, Dec. 27

at New Rockford

NR-S: 5 4 9 11 - 29

C. Cass: 25 22 15 12 - 74

NR-S: Easton Simon 10, Bennett Meier 6, Alex Weisenburger 5, Trevor Waldo 4, Lucas Yri 2, DJ Mudgett 2. Totals: 13 FG, 3-5 FT, 3 fouls.

Central Cass: Cole Holzer 19, Sam Kobbervig 13, Carter Vrchota 12, Mason Bosse 8, Eli Buhr 6, Chase Bachmeier 4, Carter Maasjo 4, Owen Wiersma 4, Jake Thompson 2, Braden Mitchell 2. Totals: 31 FG, 2-2 FT, 5 fouls. 3-pointers: Holzer 3, Kobbervig 3, Vrchota 2, Buhr 2.

B-Squad

NR-S 30, Central Cass 71

NR-S: 10 10 9 1 - 30

C. Cass: 11 17 22 21 - 71

NR-S: Alex Weisenburger 8, Brody Weisenburger 7, Easton Simon 5, Easton Benz 3, Kage Walford 3, Porter Granger 2, Bradyn Collier 2. Totals: 6 FG, 6-12 FT, 8 fouls. 3-pointer: Walford.

Central Cass: Thompson 13, Jace Narum 13, Jayden Pavlicek 11, Maasjo 10, Brodie Runck 6, Forrest Sears 4, Colton Cruchel 4, Bachmeier 4, Kamren Baarstad 2, Alex Vieby 2, Keagan Peterson 2. Totals: 31 FG, 4-11 FT, 10 fouls. 3-pointers: Pavlicek 3, Narum 1, Thompson 1.

C-Squad

NR-S 45, Central Cass 58

NR-S: 4 19 10 13 - 45

C. Cass: 12 16 14 16 - 58

NR-S: Shaun Reimche 14, Dashyl Bichler 12, Zach Dockter 10, Wyatt Dockter 4, Walford 3, Collier 2. Totals: 17 FG, 5-6 FT, 11 fouls. 3-pointers: Bichler 2, Z. Dockter 2, Reimche 1, Walford 1.

Central Cass: Pavlicek 10, Anthony Garman 9, Cruchel 9, Brady Plantz 7, Peterson 7, Kale Pearson 6, Braden Klein 6, Dillon Schmidt 2, Steele Bryant 2. Totals: 25 FG, 6-7 FT, 8 fouls. 3-pointers: Cruchet 1, Plantz 1.