The Chanticleer boys took on the Boone Central Cardinals on Friday in Ord. The game started out a fast paced affair with each team scoring quickly. The Chants were able to take a 39-37 lead at the half on a Riley Warner buzzer beater three. “That was a very fast half for both teams and we did some really good things attacking them.” Coach Gates said. The 2nd half would slow a bit with the 1st possession for the Chants taking one minute off the clock. However, the frantic pace would pick up again and the Chants would stretch their lead to eight at one point. However, the Cardinals would race back to keep the game close. The Chants would have a six point lead before the 4th quarter. The Cardinals would cut the lead down to three and four multiple times before the Chants were able to seal up the win with free throws by Reese Davenport. The Chants had multiple guys with double figures. With Gage Smith leading the way with 19 points. Johnny DeRiso added 14. Reese Davenport and Riley Warner had 10 points each. Quinto Ries had 9 points and 10 rebounds. “We executed very well tonight and we finished which was a big part of getting the win and we had a lot of plays that were big plays in the game and those don't always show up on the stat line.” Coach Gates said
On Saturday, the Chants traveled to Loup City to take on the Arcadia Loup City Rebels. The Chants started the game like they did on Friday and were able to get an eight point lead but a buzzer beater by Arcadia Loup City would cut the lead to 13-8 for the Chants. The Chants were able to ge the lead back to eight before the Rebels responded. A buzzer beater by Gage Smith would give the Chants a 26-24 going into halftime. “Again we were able to execute very well to start but we didn’t finish starting in the 2nd quarter. Coach Gates said. The Chants were only down two going into the 4th quarter after only scoring one point in the 3rd quarter. “We played really hard on the defensive end but the shots did not go down for us in the 2nd half.” Coach Gates said. The Chants were able to get the lead back but were unable to keep it and lost the game 35-33. The Chants were led by Gage Smith with nine points and Qunito Ries with 8 rebounds. The Chants will have a busy week by hosting Wood River on Tuesday, Then traveling to Doniphan Trumbull and St Paul on Thursday and Friday.