Basketball Recap: Dane Duryea's Big Game Can't Quite Lead Anselmo-Merna over Sandhills Valley

Anselmo-Merna lost against Sandhills Valley back in December of 2023 and unfortunately they wound up with the same result on Friday. The Anselmo-Merna Coyotes took a 49-39 hit to the loss column at the hands of the Sandhills Valley Mavericks.

Anselmo-Merna's defeat came despite a true team effort from the offense, with many players turning in solid performances. Perhaps the best among them was Dane Duryea, who dropped a double-double on 14 points and ten boards. The team also got some help courtesy of Jayden Russell, who posted five points and five boards.

Coyotes

Assists

11/30/23 vs Paxton	12
12/06/24 vs Sandhills Valley	11
12/16/23 @ Burwell	9
12/12/23 @ Overton	7
12/19/23 @ Pleasanton	6

Even though they lost, Anselmo-Merna was working as a unit and finished the game with 11 assists. That's the most assists they've posted since back in November of 2023.

Sandhills Valley's win was a true team effort, with many players turning in solid performances. Perhaps the best among them was Isaac Goosey, who went 6 of 14 on his way to 17 points and five rebounds. Those 17 points gave Goosey a new career-high. The team also got some help courtesy of Kyle Kramer, who almost dropped a double-double on nine points and 11 rebounds.

Anselmo-Merna dropped their record down to 0-2 with the loss, which was their tenth straight at home dating back to last season.

Anselmo-Merna wasted no time getting back out on the court and has already played their next contest, a 50-36 defeat against Arcadia/Loup City on the 10th. As for Sandhills Valley, they also didn't take long to hit the court again: they've already played their next matchup, a 40-35 victory against Sumner-Eddyville-Miller on the 9th.