The Chadron Cardinals boys and girls basketball teams took on Gordon-Rushville last night in their home opener at the Birdcage. It was a perfect night for the Cardinals as the girls won 49-32 and the boys took care of business 75-27. Add in a 62-13 win in boys JV to complete the perfect night for Chadron.
The girls game was tight in the first quarter but it was the first two three pointer makes for the Cardinals that allowed them to lead 21-14 after the first quarter. The Cardinals stretched the lead in the second quarter to lead at half 33-24. The Cardinals continued to stretch the difference in the second half by out-scoring the Mustangs 16-8 to finish off a 49-32 win.
Freshman Gracie Calkins led the team with 17 points, Jezy Alcorn chipped in 12. Reese Ritterbush had eight, Addison Morrison with four, Jacey Turman had three, while Sophie Watson and Brylee Huffman each had two.
The Cardinals hit seven threes in the game with Calkins hitting three, Ritterbush had two, Morrison and Turman each hit one.
In the boys game it was all Chadron after the first quarter. The Mustangs hung around during the first eight minutes with Chadron leading 17-11 after one. From there it was a 58-16 run for the Cardinals the rest of the game as they won 75-27.
Thomas Smith led with a game high 15 points, Talon Jelinek had 14. Brady Daniels finished with 11, Tyson Pourier had nine. Derek Bissonette and Tobin Landen each finished with four. Cole Carnahan and Havien Catches finished with three, Creighton Ryan, Tobin Rust had two and Jace Paopao had one.
Both Cardinal teams are 1-1 and will welcome Gering into the Birdcage Saturday Night. Both Bulldog teams are 1-2 with a win at Alliance and losses to Sidney and Bridgeport. We will have the games with pregame set for 5:15 with girls tip at 5:30 and boys to follow. Be sure to tune into 610am KCSR and chadrad.com for coverage.