Bulldogs Drop Fifth-Place Contest

In a game to decide the District 2C’s fifth berth to the divisional tournament, Bainville’s boys experienced a tough third quarter and lost to Plentywood, 75-55, in Sidney on Saturday, Feb. 20.

Plentywood enjoyed a strong finish of the first half when a three-pointer by Cayden Trupe at the buzzer helped the Wildcats hold a 31-26 half-time advantage.

The Wildcats then tallied the opening five points of the second half on a free throw by Easton Tommerup, a layup by Chris Hagen and two free tosses by Kieran Hernandez for a 34-26 margin.

The Bulldogs fought back to 36-31 on three points by Samuel Butikofer and a hoop by Jesse Strickland, but Plentywood accounted for the next 10 points including five points by Chris Hagan. The Wildcats went on to lead by a 48-35 margin at the end of the third quarter.

Bainville was able to pull to 54-45 on three-pointers by Braeden Romo and Kaden Hansen midway into the fourth quarter.

After the Wildcats moved ahead 65-50, Hansen connected on another three-pointer to keep the Bulldogs’ hopes alive. Plentywood, however, scored 10 points in the final three minutes for the 20-point victory.

Hansen led the Bulldogs with 21 points. Also reaching double figures were Romo with 13 and Strickland with 10 points.

Also scoring were Charles Butikofer with eight and S. Butikofer with three points.

Leading the Wildcats were Trupe with 19, Hagen with 15, Hernandez with 15 and Reese Wirtz with 13 points.

The Bulldogs received strong offensive play from Hansen and Strickland in the first quarter to trail by only a 13-11 margin at the end of the first quarter.

Bainville’s final lead of the contest came on a three-pointer by Romo to put the score at 24-22 with 1:42 left in the second quarter. Trupe responded with three three-pointers during the last 1:13 of the half.