The Fort Calhoun High School basketball team dominated Tekamah-Herman on Thursday in its first game after a Feb. 11 loss to 3-17 Nebraska City.
“We had to come back and, kind of, gain some confidence back,” senior guard Chase Premer said after the 73-36 win. “We played well and we made some shots tonight, which really helped.”
Coach TJ O'Connor started Premer, junior Colby Bentley and three other seniors — Travis Skelton, Colton Miles and Max Halford — in what was likely their final home game.
It was Halford's season debut as he continues to rehab a shoulder injury. He took advantage, too, banking in a 3-point basket for a 3-0 Pioneers lead.
“That was the best thing I've ever seen in my life,” Premer said.
Halford smiled wide when asked about the bucket.
“I knew I was going to make it, honestly,” he said. “I was telling everyone. I was like, 'By the time I'm out of the game, we're going to at least be up by three.'”
FCHS actually built its lead out to 8-0 before the Tigers' first bucket and the Pioneers' regular starters substituted in. The home squad continued building its first-period lead to 24-6 before scoring 22 more points during the second for a 46-21 advantage.
Altogether, Skelton led a balanced Calhoun attack with 12 points for the game, while Dylan Keyser scored 11 and Bentley had 10. Miles made a 3-pointer and finished with five points, too, while Halford had his three and Premer scored two.
The win was FCHS' 10th of the season.
“We're just continuing to gain confidence all-around,” Premer said. “We're starting to figure each other out a little more and we're starting to play better together.”
Pioneers beat Mustangs
The Pioneers produced their 11th win of the season Friday, too.
At Raymond Central, Coach O'Connor's squad led at the end of each quarter, securing a 61-41 victory. The Mustangs dropped to 4-17 in defeat.
Adam Elofson scored a season-high 20 points to lead FCHS, scoring during every period. His teammate, Eli Tinkham, tallied 13 points as well.
Dawson Potter, meanwhile, led Raymond Central with 12 points in defeat.
FCHS BASKETBALL LINE SCORES
Friday
Fort Calhoun 61, Raymond Central 41
FCHS (11-10) 15 16 18 12 — 61
RC (4-17) 10 7 10 12 — 41
Scoring: FCHS — Adam Elofson 20, Eli Tinkham 13, Kade Foy 9, Colby Bentley 8, Dylan Keyser 7, Blake Welchert 2, Chase Premer 2.
RC — Dawson Potter 12, Colton Dubas 8, Preston Lubischer 7, Jace Badberg 5, Asher Allen 3, Ryan Hand 2, Tavion Johnson 2, Gavin Gehle 1, Parker Ayres 1.
Thursday
Fort Calhoun 73, Tekamah-Herman 36
T-H (9-13) 8 13 7 8 — 36
FCHS (10-10) 24 22 10 17 — 73
Scoring: FCHS — Travis Skelton 12, Keyser 11, Bentley 10, Tinkham 8, Foy 7, Elofson 7, Welchert 6, Colton Miles 5, Max Halford 3, Gavin Barnes 2, Premer 2.
T-H — Brody Rogers 11, Griffin Breckenridge 10, Lane Loftis 6, Parke Loftis 3, Sam Oligmueller 2, Grady Belfrage 2, Camdan Chase 2.
