Basketball Recap: Ayden Desmond's Big Game Can't Quite Lead Southeast over Little Snake River

Southeast and Little Snake River squared off in some playoff action on Thursday, but Southeast had to settle for second. They took a 60-51 hit to the loss column at the hands of the Little Snake River Rattlers. The Cyclones were given a dose of their own medicine in this game as the Rattlers apparently hadn't forgotten their loss the last time these teams played back in December of 2019.

Ayden Desmond

Rebounds

03/06/25 vs Little Snake River	14
03/01/25 vs Niobrara County	10
03/01/25 vs HEM	14
02/28/25 vs Lingle-Fort Laramie	9

Southeast's defeat came despite a true team effort with many players turning in solid performances. Perhaps the best among them was Ayden Desmond, who dropped a double-double with 13 points and 14 boards. Desmond has been hot recently, having posted nine or more rebounds the last four times he's played. Ayden Shimic was another key player, putting up eight points in addition to seven boards and five assists.

Even though they lost, Southeast smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with 12 offensive rebounds. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now pulled down at least eight offensive boards in 13 consecutive games.

Little Snake River found their leader in sophomore Tymber Cozzens, who dropped a double-double with 25 points and ten rebounds. As a matter of fact, that's the most points Cozzens has scored all season. The team also got some help courtesy of Jandro Kunsman, who almost dropped a double-double with 12 points and nine boards.

Southeast's loss dropped their record down to 16-12. As for Little Snake River, they are on a roll lately: they've won 15 of their last 18 contests. That's provided a nice bump to their 18-6 record this season.

Southeast didn't take long to hit the court again: they've already played their next matchup, a 59-50 defeat against Encampment on the 7th. As for Little Snake River, they have also already played their next game, a 59-45 loss against Lingle-Fort Laramie on the 7th.