LINGLE – Fans from across Goshen County packed the gym at Lingle-Fort Laramie High School (LFL) to watch the Doggers square off against the Southeast High School Cyclones on January 30.

An intense, neck-and-neck first quarter ended with the Doggers ahead by only a single point, 16-15. The back-and-forth battle continued early in the second quarter before the Doggers commenced an eight-point run to capture the lead, 26-17, with approximately four minutes remaining in the first half.

An ironclad LFL defense nearly shut out Southeast from scoring for the remainder of the second quarter and the Doggers posted a 35-19 advantage at halftime.

LFL topped Southeast in scoring, 36-20, in the second half to capture the win, 71-39.

Both teams left it on the court in a physical first quarter. The Cyclones netted 15 points to 16 from LFL. 

Southeast sophomore T.J. Moats set the pace for the Cyclones with six points in the opening eight minutes.

Junior Kannon Tippetts tossed in a layup and went 3-for-3 at the free-throw line, placing the Cyclones up, 13-12.

Fellow junior Ayden Desmond rounded out first-quarter scoring for Southeast with a pair of jumpers.

LFL responded with a fastbreak and two close-range shots by junior Brody Roberts. Junior Skyler Thomas and sophomore Brady Cook each netted four points and junior Elijah Hatch stepped into the game to contribute a jumper.

Southeast kept it a 1-point game early in the second quarter following a jumper by Cyclones’ senior Cole Sauer. LFL answered with an 8-point run, including back-to-back 3-pointers by junior Ned Nelson.

Moats ended the Dogger’s run with a close-range shot and Southeast junior Ayden Shimic rustled a pair of steals.

Taking possession, Hatch tossed in two outside shots. Defensive pressure by Nelson and Roberts resulted in a string of turnovers and LFL led by a significant 35-19 margin at halftime.

A relentless Dogger offense controlled the scoreboard in the second quarter, netting 20 points to eight from Southeast. Cook led the way, posting 13 points in eight minutes. Roberts added four to the tally and sophomore Anthony Arnusch netted an outside shot, widening LFL’s advantage to 20 points, 46-26.

Tippetts, Ayden Shimic, Desmond and Moats kept Southeast on the scoreboard throughout the third quarter.

The Doggers found themselves ahead, 55-27, as the fourth quarter began and LFL won the fourth quarter.

Moats led Southeast in scoring against LFL with 14 points. Tippetts netted nine points, Desmond eight with two apiece from Cole Sauer, Ayden Shimic, Beaux Shimic and Chase Sauer.

Cook posted 25 points for LFL. Roberts contributed 17 points, Nelson 12, Hatch eight, Thomas six and Arnusch three.

The Doggers “did a fantastic job sharing the ball,” head LFL coach Chris Cook said, delivering a season-high of 29 team assists. Arnusch made eight assists, Thomas seven and Roberts five.

On defense, the Doggers snatched 20 steals – Roberts rustled seven with four steals apiece from Arnusch and Thomas.

“It was another fun rivalry game,” Cook said. “It is always great to see the communities come out to support the boys on both sides. We wish (Southest head) Coach (Craig) Leithead and the Cyclones the best of luck the rest of the season and in their upcoming 1A Regional Tournament.”