Cloud County slips past McCook, 84-82

MCCOOK, Neb. — The Cloud County Community College Thunderbirds used a 13-0 second half spurt and timely free throw shooting to slip past host McCook Community College 84-82 in the opening round of the Region IX-Region VI Shootout on Friday. Coming off it first loss of the season, 85-82 to Des Moines Area Community College, Cloud County trailed McCook by nine points in the second half. The T-Birds then rattled off 13 unanswered points to reclaim the lead. Knocking down 13 of 17 free throws in the second half, the T-Birds were able to fend off the Indians. “I told the guys that of course we'd have liked for the win to be more comfortable, and to have done some things a little better, but at the same time it is so important to learn how to fight through and win games like that,” Cloud County coach Jordan Altman said, “We really have to close ones under our belt now. One that didn't turn out in our favor and one that did. We'll be able to point out the difference between those two games to the guys and hopefully they'll realize what we did differently.” The game was tied 45-45 at halftime. McCook scored on its first 10 offensive possession in the second to take the nine-point lead. Cloud County would then switch to a 2-3 zone defense and went on the 13-0 run. “We were struggling to guard one-on-one and that's how McCook was getting a lot of its buckets,” Altman said, “We switched to the 2-3 zone and it really changed their aggressiveness and their ability to attack the rim. It definitely helped our run there in the second half, and we were able to to play to forwards out there because Edoardo (Del Cadia), Iyen (Enaruna), Sidy Sissoko and Tomi (Adetomi Ayilara) were so willing to bend their knees and get down to guard someone smaller than them.” Sophomore guard Alvin Thompson led Cloud County with 24 points, which match his career high. Del Cadia, a freshman, was 6 of 11 from the field in scoring a career high 21 points and also grabbed nine rebounds. “They didn't really have an answer for him (Del Cadia). He was just physically bigger and stronger than everyone,” Altman said, “We talked with him this week of taking it up a notch. He has been playing really well for us, we just thought there was more in the tank. He took that challenge this week, worked really hard and it showed.” Sophomore guard Jerome Kidd Jr. scored 13 points for the T-Birds. Peanut Cunningham led McCook with 21 points. Mardrez scored 17 points for the Indians. Ron Rice finished with 13 points and Kallee White Jr. added 10 points.