Winning is just a little bit easier when you nail six more threes than your opponent, a fact the Scottsbluff Bearcats proved on Thursday. They enjoyed a cozy 64-47 victory over Elkhorn Valley. The victory made it back-to-back wins for Scottsbluff.
It was another big night for Nate Kelley, who scored 30 points along with seven rebounds. Those 30 points set a new season-high mark for him. Rylee Meininger was another key contributor, scoring 12 points.
Elkhorn Valley lost despite a true team effort on the offense, the best among them being Dawson Hansen, who dropped a double-double on ten points and 11 rebounds. Hansen also posted two blocks for the first time this season. The team also got some help courtesy of Kellyn Ollendick, who dropped a double-double on 19 points and ten rebounds.
Scottsbluff's win bumped their record up to 7-1. As for Elkhorn Valley, their defeat ended a seven-game streak of wins at home dating back to last season and dropped them to 8-1.
Scottsbluff won't have much time to rest: their next match is against Norfolk Catholic at 6:15 p.m. on December 29, 2023. Norfolk Catholic will be looking to extend their current four-game winning streak. As for Elkhorn Valley, their homestand continues as they prepare to take on Battle Creek at 3:00 p.m. on December 29, 2023. Battle Creek will have to bring their A-game into this one, as they are staring down a pretty big deficit in the MaxPreps Nebraska Rankings (they are ranked 149th, while Elkhorn Valley is ranked 23rd).