Rams improve offensive output, but lose two

By SUE RIEDER
sports@beeherald.com

Greene County’s boys basketball team had their two biggest scoring nights of the season, and even though there were many positives on the offensive side of the ball, they lost their two conference games this past week.  

The Rams had a great second half but lost at Gilbert 86-71 on Jan. 3. The Tigers came into the game averaging 64 points per game, but they had an exceptional night and made 58 percent of their shots from the field. They also had quick hands in the passing lanes forcing several Greene County turnovers in the first half and getting several lay-ups off of them. The Rams looked like a different team in the second half and out scored their opponent, but since they trailed by 20 at the break, their 49 points weren’t enough to catch up to a Tiger team who continued to shoot well for the rest of the game. As a team, the Rams were successful on 38 percent of their shots from the field and made ten 3-point shots. Greene County was led in scoring by freshman Trey Tucker who made 9 out of 13 shots from the field including four 3-point baskets and had a total of 25 points. Max Neese also scored in double figures with 11 points. Riah Nelsen led the Rams in rebounding with eight. As a team, the Rams were out rebounded by 12 in the game.

“We weren’t ready to play at the beginning of the game,” said coach Jeramie Hinote. ‘You can’t fault our effort in the second half, but we need to find ways to avoid digging ourselves into a hole.”

The Rams got a little closer to a victory on January 7 when they forced the Comets from North Polk into overtime before losing 82-77. Greene County led for the most of the first half, but trailed by three going into the fourth quarter. With seconds left in regulation, Landon Braun hit his fifth shot from beyond the arc to tie the game at 64 and send the Rams into their first overtime period this season. North Polk scored five more than the Rams in the extra period to win the game, but coach Hinote was pleased with his team’s effort. “I am never happy to lose, but I am seeing more positives with this team all of the time,” said the coach. Landon Braun, who had been struggling with his outside shooting, found his groove and scored 20, and Trey Tucker had his second consecutive night being one of the top scorers with 19. “I will take that scoring from two of the guards any night of the week, and I was glad to see Will Meinecke get more aggressive and get nine points off of the bench,” said coach Hinote. “Our offense is starting to click, and we are learning more all the time, now we just have to concentrate on how to play better defense.” The Comets were led in scoring by Blake Brauer who came into the game with an 8.9 points per game average, but scored 30 versus the Rams.

Greene County’s team travels to Saydel on Friday before hosting non-conference opponent Prairie Valley in Jefferson this Saturday.

Gr. Co.  10   22   47   71
Gilbert   22   42   64   86
Greene Co. (71) Scoring- Trey Tucker 9 3-6 25, Max Neese 5 1-1 11, Tyler Beger 3 1-2 9, Landon Braun 3 0-0 8, Mitchell Gorsuch 3 0-1 7, Reid Lamoureux  2 0-0 5,  Sico Boateng 1 2-3 4, Riah Nelsen 1 0-0 2. Rebounds- Nelsen 8, Boateng 5, Will Meinecke 4, Neese 3. Assists- Tucker 7, Beger 3, Neese 3, Meinecke 3. Steals- Tucker 4, Gorsuch 3. 3-point goals- Tucker 4, Beger 2, Braun 2, Lamoureux 1, Gorsuch 1.
Gilbert (86) Scoring- Wes Greder 10 1-1 24, Jared Gescheidler 7 0-0 14, Dax Hatfield 6 1-5 13, Jackson Wieland 3 3-4 11, Chris Culek 4 0-0 8, Ryan Blum 3 0-0 7. Rebounds- Gescheidler 16, Greder 7.

Gr. Co.  17   33    47  64   77
NP        14   28    50   64   82
Greene County (77) Scoring- Landon Braun 7 1-2 20 Trey Tucker 7 4-5 19, , Will Meinecke 4 0-1 9, Mitchell Gorsuch  2 3-3 8, Riah Nelsen 1 4-5 6, Max Neese 1 3-4 5, Tyler Beger 2 1-4 5, Reid Lamoureux 1 1-1 3, Sico Boateng 1 0-0 2.  Rebounds- Nelsen 8, Meinecke 5, Tucker 4. Assists- Tucker 6, Braun 3. Steals- Tucker 5. 3-point goals- Braun 5, Tucker 1, Meinecke 1, Gorsuch 1.
North Polk (82) Scoring- Blake Brauer 10 6-10 30, Russell Greene 5 4-8 14, Ryley Sandberg 3 5-8 11, Max Karpinski 3 1-2 8, Reed Smith 3 0-0 6, Brett Haun 2 2-2 6, Dylan Mc Bee 0 3-6 3, Jonah Clausen 1 0-0 3.