COZAD- The Haymaker basketball teams had a chance for a couple of key homes this weekend as they hosted the Ogallala Indians on Friday and North Platte St. Pat’s Irish Saturday night.

 The girls after an early lead, let the game get away from them in the second half, as Ogallala pulled away late to win the first game 54-44.

 Cozad started the game well, keeping up with the highly-talented Indians and taking a two point lead after one quarter. Ogallala hit the accelerator and took the lead at the beginning of the quarter and taking a 28-23 lead into the half.

 The second half wasn’t any better for the Haymakers, as Ogallala outscored the ladies 13-9 in the third period. The fourth quarter Ogallala won as well 13-12 as the Indians sealed up the 10-point victory.

 “We came out of the gate pretty well against Ogallala, just couldn’t get a few defensive stops when we needed them,” head coach Will Reutzel said. “We need to eliminate the preventable mistakes and we would be right there at the end of the games.”

 For Cozad, Carlie Pinkelman led the team with 15 points. Carly Henry produced seven points. Jessica Finnegan was quick to the hoop as she scored nine points for the Makers, Kendra Harbison got seven points on the night.

 The loss dropped Cozad to 3-9 on the season, as Ogallala moved up to 3-5.

 The boys’ were looking to get back on track and try to earn their first win of 2010. The Indians were hot shooting the basketball all night as there was no answer from Cozad, as Ogallala dominated 66-45.

 Ogallala came out of the shoots red hot, taking an early 17-9 advantage after one quarter of play. Cozad had even more difficulties in the second quarter, only scoring seven points and trailing 33-16 at the half.

 The second half wasn’t any better for the Makers, as Cozad was outscored 15-9 in the third quarter. The highlight of the night was Cozad outscoring the Indians 20-18 in the fourth quarter, but the Indians were just too much to handle.

 “Their offense was just much better then our defense,” head coach Scott Foster said. “I was disappointed at times with our effort, we have to learn that if someone steals a ball from us, we need to bust our tail to get back and make a play.”

 Mason Fischer led the Cozad scoring with 11 points, while Jordan Hickenbottom scored 10 points along with six rebounds. Hickenbottom also had three blocks and two steals, both team highs. Ty Rogers shot the ball well, scoring eight points.

 The loss dropped Cozad to 2-8 on the season. Ogallala improved to 4-4 with the win.

 The second game of the weekend wouldn’t be any easier for Cozad, but they were still looking to get back on the right track against North Platte St. Pat’s.

 The Irish proved they were the real deal, dominating the game from the tip and using a huge first half lead to propel them to a 60-32 win.

 Cozad just had no answer to the Irish, as they trailed immediately and found themselves down 16-4 after the first quarter. Cozad’s shooting improved, but St. Pat’s was still red hot, as they took a 34-13 lead into the locker room.

 The locker room pep talk put a little spring in their step, but it was just St. Pat’s night. Cozad scored 21 points in the second half, but St. Pat’s was just too much for the Makers as they took the win.

 “We ran into a team that was shooting really well and we simply didn’t get our offense going very well,” Reutzel said.

 Henry led the Makers Saturday night with 11 points, while Pinkleman scored six points. Finnegan also scored six points and Harbison scored four.

 The boys’ were looking to improve on the performance from the night before, which they did, but were unable to capture a victory as St. Pat’s took the victory 61-47.

 The Haymakers started out of the gates better in the first quarter, leading the Irish 15-10 after one quarter. St. Pat’s used a 17-10 second quarter to take the lead and keep it.

 The Haymakers started to sputter down the stretch, only scoring eight points in the third quarter, but St. Pat’s scored 17 points in three straight quarters to help them pull out the victory.

 “I challenged them before the game to come out and compete, and they did,” Foster said. “Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough for the win. However, it puts us back on the right track.”

 The loss brings the streak to seven games as they drop to 2-9 on the season. St. Pat’s wins their third straight as they improve to 7-2.

 The Haymakers will be on the road Thursday as they travel to rival Gothenburg.

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• Cozad Boys Basketball
• Cozad Girls Basketball
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