Poplar Boys Drop Close Games At Tournament

Poplar’s boys’ basketball team lost two close games against strong opponents during the tournament in Lockwood.

“Both games were high energy, up-tempo and aggressive,” Poplar Coach Gib Medicine Cloud said.

Lodge Grass outscored the Indians by a 67-63 final on Friday, Dec. 8.

Poplar gained a 10-point lead early against Lodge Grass but trailed by a fivepoint half-time margin. Down by seven points, the Indians created turnovers in the final minute but couldn’t quite come back.

“We had our chances to win the game,” Medicine Cloud said.

Delray Lilley led the Indians with 24 points. Kaniel Ricker finished with 14 points.

Also scoring were Geordy Medicine Cloud with eight, Kameron Reum with five, Walker Burshia with five, Keilen Erickson with five and Cetan Growing Thunder with two.

The Indians then fell short against St. Labre by a 64-63 final.

“We rebounded and came back strong against St. Labre,” Coach Medicine Cloud said.

Poplar’s top scorers were Ricker with 19, Burshia with 11 and Reum with 10 points.

Also scoring were Lilley with nine, Erickson with five, Blake Lambert with five, Walking Thunder with four and Medicine Cloud with two.

The coach was pleased with how well Erickson and Lambert played off the bench during the weekend.

The Indians will host conference rival Harlem on Saturday, Dec. 16.