The Chanticleer basketball team opened its season Friday Night, hosting the Ainsworth Bulldogs. The game marked senior night for Brody Blair, Landon Critel, Levi Klein, Easton Ryschon, and Colton Thompson. It would also be a game where all five seniors would score a book. The 1st quarter would start slowly for the Chants, with the game tied 6-6 the Chants would begin a big run that would last two quarters. The Chants would take a 13-6 lead after the first and never look back. “We had a slow start, maybe first game jitters,” Coach Gates said after the game. Gates added we responded well and were able to play well a lot better.” The Chants would go on to win the 2nd and 3rd quarters by margins of 27-5 and 20-2. Then closed out the game for a 66-19 final. Colton Thompson led the Chants with 16 points. Jordan Williams added 14 and Beau Wells added 11 points. Easton Ryschon added nine points. Landon Critel added six assists. Williams and Wells added five assists. Brody Blair added six steals in the win.
On Saturday Afternoon, the Chants traveled to Central City to take on the Bison. The Chants continued the play from the night before. Taking a lead after the 1st quarter. In the 2nd quarter, the Chants would push the lead with a big quarter to take a 34-18 lead by halftime. Coach Gates said, “Give our guys credit, we played really well on the defensive end tonight, and that was big in our success.” We also did a good job of moving the ball, and having three guys in double figures tonight shows that.”. In the 2nd half, the Chants would hold off the Bison and take a 68-41 victory. The Chants were led by Beau Wells with 19 points. Landon Critel added 15, and Jordan Williams added 13 in the win. Easton Ryshon added nine for the Chants. Knox Nelson added nine rebounds for the Chants. The Chants will travel to West Holt on Tuesday before coming back home on Friday to take on Kearney Catholic.