Bulldog ball teams see mixed results

The Sundance Lady Bulldogs kicked off conference this week with a strong win over Wright but fell short in a hard-fought game against Big Horn.

Opening their conference play at Wright, the Lady Bulldog offense came out firing, taking an early lead and showcasing their scoring depth. Jaylin Mills led the charge with an impressive 21 points, while Maddison Neiman contributed 10.

Hailey Karol added nine points to the total, helping the Bulldogs secure a 56-46 victory over the Panthers. Mills and Karol also dominated on the boards, combining for 22 rebounds and limiting Wright's second-chance opportunities. 

On Saturday, the Bulldogs faced Big Horn in a tightly contested matchup. The team started strong, putting up 12 points in the first quarter, but a second quarter slump allowed the Rams to build a 27-17 lead by halftime.

Despite trailing by ten entering the second half, the Bulldogs chipped away at Big Horn's lead and mounted a late comeback. However, time ran out before they could complete the rally and the Bulldogs fell 49-45 to the Rams. 

Mills delivered another standout performance with a double-double scoring 24 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. Karol also reached double digit scoring with 12 points. 

The Lady Bulldog C team will have one game this week as they host the Lady Red Devils on Friday. Tip off is scheduled for 2 p.m., followed by the boy's C team.

The Lady Bulldogs varsity team will have a week to prepare for their next conference games against Moorcroft on February 7. 

Bulldog boys

The Bulldog boys' basketball team kicked off conference play last week, splitting their two games against Wright and Big Horn.

The Bulldogs opened the weekend with an offensive shootout against Wright. Both teams lit up the scoreboard early, with a barrage of three-pointers fueling the Bulldogs' 22-15 lead at the end of the first quarter.

However, the momentum quickly shifted in the second quarter, as the Bulldogs struggled to maintain their rhythm. Wright capitalized on the cold streak, out-scoring the Bulldogs and taking a 39-31 advantage into halftime. 

The second half featured another high-scoring battle, but the Sundance team couldn't overcome their second-quarter slump, falling, in the end, 87-71. Jake Schommer led the Bulldogs' scoring effort with 21 points, 15 of which came from behind the three-point arc. Teammates Owen Watt and Parker Skeens also added 13 and 12 points respectively.

Saturday's game against Big Horn showcased a different story, as the Bulldogs' defense took center stage. The Sundance team smothered Big Horn's offense, holding them to single-digit scoring in the first half and building a 26-16 lead at the break.

The Bulldogs extended their lead in the third quarter with disciplined defense and timely scoring. Despite a late push from the Rams in the fourth, the Bulldogs held strong and secured a 59-52 victory.

Schommer and Skeens once again led the offensive effort putting up 26 and 14 points respectively. Eli Gill helped with the offensive momentum as he secured nine rebounds for the night and added five assists. 

The Bulldogs have a light week this week as they travel to Faith to face the Longhorns on Tuesday and the Bulldog C team will host the Hulett Red Devils on Friday.

Stats

SHS Boys 71, Wright 87:

Scoring: Schommer 21 (6/9 FT, 5/10 3pt), Watt 13 (2/2 FT, 1/1 3pt), Skeens 12 (2/3 FT), Gill 9 (1/3 FT), Mills 7 (2/2 FT, 1/3 3pt), Lenz 5 (1/1 3pt), Downey 4 (1/2 FT, 1/2 3pt)

Rebound leaders: Gill 6, Schommer 5, Downey 3, Mills 3

Assist leaders: Gill 4, Skeens 4, Mills 4

Steal leaders: Schommer 3, Skeens 2

SHS Boys 59, Big Horn 52:

Scoring: Schommer 26 (5/7 FT, 5/8 3pt), Skeens 14, Watt 9 (0/2 FT, 1/3 3pt), Mills 7 (2/3 FT, 1/3 3pt), Lenz 3 (1/1 3pt)

Rebound leaders: Gill 9, Mills 4, Watt 3

Assist leaders: Gill 5, Skeens 4

Steal leaders: Gill 3, Watt 2, Mills 2

Blocks: Gill 1, Watt 1

SHS Girls 56, Wright 46:

Scoring: Mills 21 (6/12 FT, 1/2 3pt), Neiman 10, Karol 9 (3/6 FT), Gill 1 (5/8 FT), A. Marchant 5 (1/6 FT), Cooney 4 (1/2 FT, 1/1 3pt), K. Marchant 2 (2/10 FT)

Rebound leaders: Mills 13, Karol 9, Neiman 7

Assists: K. Marchant 2, Mills 2

Steals: Gill 3, Mills 2, Neiman 2, K. Marchant 1, Phillips 1

SHS Girls 45, Big Horn 49:

Scoring: Mills 24 (6/8FT, 2/5 3pt), Karol 12 (4/6 ft), Gill 4 (2/2 FT), K. Marchant 3 (3/6 FT), A. Marchant 2 

Rebound Leaders: Mills 10, Karol 5, A. Marchant 4

Steals: Mills 4, K. Marchant 4, A. Marchant 2, Phillips 1, Gill 1, Cooney 1, Karol 1

Assists: K. Marchant 3, Mills 1

Blocks: Karol 1