Region IX tournament kicks off today at Cougar Palace

Bridgeport’s Chance Wallesen has played on the Cougar Palace floor for the past six years either through high school or college basketball.

Beginning today, the sophomore guard will be playing his last games in front of the local fans as Western Nebraska Community College gets set to host the men’s Region IX men’s basketball tournament today through Wednesday.

For Wallesen he is hoping to lead his Cougars as deep into the tournament as possible. The Cougars tip off the tournament tonight at 8 p.m. against Otero Junior College.

Earlier action today will see Eastern Wyoming College opening the tournament against Sheridan College at 1 p.m., followed by Casper College meeting Dawson Community College at 3 p.m. and No. 4 Northeastern Junior College meeting McCook Community College at 6 p.m.

“We have been looking forward to the regional tournament since day one,” Wallesen said. “One of our goals was to host it and we accomplished that. Now we have to go to work. We know what we have to do and we are ready to go.

“We are playing a lot better then we were about 10 games ago. We were in a slump where we lost four out of five. We turned it around big time. We will miss Ricardo [De Bem], but we have been doing well in practice.”

De Bem has been shelved with a serious ankle sprain suffered in the Northeastern Junior College game Feb. 20. Since then, the Texas Tech recruit has been sidelined with crutches and a walking-boot.

But, the Cougars will ready today when they face off against an Otero squad that limps into the regional tournament with a 7-22 record. The Cougars have already defeated the Rattlers twice this season, 105-84 in January and then 89-81 last Friday.

Wallesen said that game last Friday showed to the Cougars what they need to win the regional tournament – play a full 40 minutes.

“The game at Otero was a big surprise [with the way we played with Ricardo De Bem],” Wallesen said. “We went down there and played good for 30 or 35 minutes. We didn’t finish up real well, but we won. We know we can win without him. We will be O.K.”

In fact, the Cougars held a 42-29 lead at halftime while putting four players in double figures, led by Keron McKenzie’s 19 points.

Wallesen said team work is what it is going to take to be successful at the regional tournament.

“We are playing as a team right now,” he said. “It is a team game now and who plays the best team ball and who executes down the stretch will win. It might come down to a free throw in some games, or a possession where we need a shot to score, or a rebound. It is a team thing and it has always been that way, but now you have to execute well.”

The Cougars have been playing some of their best ball winning four of their last five games. The team avenged earlier losses against Casper and Eastern Wyoming by downing their former sub-region foes 73-62 and 76-74. They also knocked off North Platte Community College 65-57 and Otero. Their only setback in the last three weeks was a 79-71 defeat to Northeastern Junior College.

For the Cougars to win the regional tournament, the road will go through NJC, the No. 4 team in the nation. The Plainsmen open today against McCook Community College at 6 p.m. Wallesen said that the team knows NJC could be waiting the Cougars in the semi-finals, if they win today and then Monday, but they are not looking that far ahead. What matters most is taking one game at a time knowing that one loss in this single elimination tournament and your season is finished.

“We are not looking ahead, but coach talks about it a lot and we practice their offense against some of our defense,” Wallesen said. “It is the back of our heads to play them again, but we are not overlooking the two games before that.”

What’s also in the back of Wallesen’s head is finishing off his playing career on a good note for the western Nebraska fans. Wallesen, who played at WNCC for four years for Brideport during the Western Trails Conference tournament, has had a lot of great memories on this court.

“There has been a lot of memories on this court from the first year red-shirting [2002004-05] to now. It has been a blast and it seemed like it went so fast,” he said. “I just was to play as many games as I can and hopefully it can be four more games and we can play the regional final on this court too. I am looking forward to it. I had a great time.”

The one thing that Wallesen will do for sure is leave everything he has on the court. In fact, Wallesen has left many dents in the sideline tables and bleachers during the past year with his diving, leaping and hustling after loose balls.

“That has been something I have always did since my freshman year in high school where my coach told us to go and get balls no matter what,” he said. “I just picked up on it and have done it ever since. It might not be the smartest thing at times, but I have gotten about half of them I have dove for.

“I spent half of my time on the floor picking up loose balls and getting that rebound,” he said. “You know I am not the greatest athlete out there, but my hard work pays off and that is what the coach sees.”

Since his three years at WNCC, Wallesen has greatly improved his game and will be looking to take it to the next level someplace.

“I have improved tremendously. From day one, Jungers brought us in and especially me and told me that I have improved a great deal. I got a lot quicker and a lot better feel for the game. I am more smarter I think.”

Wallesen is going to do his best to play as many more games on Cougar Palace as possible before he hangs up his career in western Nebraska.

“I want to play somewhere and coach will get me somewhere I know for sure. Right now I am waiting for the tournament to start. I am focused on that,” he said. “We are hoping to play four games and give Western Nebraska the credit they deserve and go out winning.”

Other first round match-ups in the Men’s Region IX tournament

Today, 1 p.m.

Sheridan College vs. Eastern Wyoming

The Sheridan College Generals enter the tournament with a 26-3 record and a 10-game win streak. The Lancers enter the game on the opposite end, dropping their final three games. EWC enters the game with a 14-16 record.

Anything is possible at regionals and the Lancers know that. Sheridan already dropped Eastern twice this season 79-58 and 92-78. In both games Brendan Puckett, EWC’s leading scorer, erupted for 18 and 21 points. On the flipside, the Generals Watson has scored 23 points in each contest. The Generals are led by Dorian Watson, who is averaging 17 points a game.

Sheridan comes into the contest with the top offensive team in Region IX, scoring at a clip of 91.9 points a game. Eastern, though, has a fierce defense giving up 69.3 points a game, which is sixth in Region IX – three spots ahead of Sheridan’s 74.4 defensive average. The Lancers are le dby several players that can score and bring electricity to the gym. Puckett is the team’s top player averaging 12.5 points a game, including already making 77 3-pointers. Also, Stephen Baker is shooting 45 percent from the 3-point area, while Josh Davis is connecting on 79 percent of his free throws.

The winner of this game faces the winner of the North Platte and Trinidad State winner Monday at 1 p.m.

Today, 3 p.m

Casper College vs. Dawson C.C.

This match-up will feature two teams with almost identical records and offensive scoring teams. Casper College enters after winning the central sub-region record. The T-Birds are 17-13 on the season. Dawson enters the contest at 13-11 and brings in the third best offensive team in the region. The Bucs are averaging 84.5 points a game.

While Dawson can score points, they also give up 81 points a game, which is near last in the region. That could prove dangerous against a Casper team that has proven they can score. The T-Birds are led by freshman Josh Davis at 15.9 points a game and sophomores DeMarcus Richard and Scott Nelson at 11.4 and 10.8 points a game.

Dawson, though, also have some scoring threats, led by freshman Josh Walker at 12.1 points a game. Freshmen Chevaz Givens and Traellis Gregg are averaging 11 points a game.

The winner faces the winner of the Lamar and Northeast Nebraska game Monday at 3 p.m

Today, 6 p.m.

Northeastern Colorado vs. McCook C.C.

Northeastern Junior College enters the tournament as the team to beat with a 27-1 record and a No. 4 ranking in the last regular season NJCAA polls. The Plainsmen have won their last 19 games and feature the second best scoring team in Region IX (87.3 points) and the third best defensive team (65.7).

During the Plainsmen’s 19-game win streak, they have defeated all but three of their opponents by double digits. The only teams to stay within the double-digit margin were Casper (78-71), Trinidad (78-70) and Western Nebraska (78-71).

NJC has four players averaging in double figures, led by sophomores Rashad Austin and Shane Edwards at 13.5 and 12.4 points a game. Also hitting double digits are sophomore LaTravis Turner (11.6) and freshman Mike Dominguez (10.0).

McCook enters the tournament on a little bit of a high, winning their last two games and a 14-16 record. The Indians upended Southeast Nebraska 80-77 and then handed Lamar their sixth defeat of the year 75-66.

McCook features the fourth best defensive team in Region IX giving up 68 points a game. Offensively, McCook is led by Trey Harris at 11.7 points a game. Harris is also shooting 43 percent from the 3-point line.

The winner faces the Laramie County and Miles City winner Monday at 6 p.m.

Today, 8 p.m.

Western Nebraska vs. Otero J.C.

The Cougars, 12-16 and winners of four of their last five gamed, take on Otero Junior College, who is 7-22 and losers of their last five games.

The Cougars feature the fifth best scoring offense in Region IX averaging 80.7 points a game. WNCC also have four players averaging double-figures. Ricardo De Bem is averaging 16.8 points a game followed by CJ Hampton at 14 points, Erik Smith at 12 points and Matthew Akins at 10.3 points.

Otero, though, has lost some heartbreakers during their current losing skid, including an 83-77 loss to Lamar and a 87-81 loss to Trinidad State. The rattlers are led by Tomaul Hawkins’ 21.1 points.

The winner will face either Northwest Wyoming or Western Wyoming Monday at 6 p.m.

Sunday, 1 p.m.

North Platte vs. Trinidad State

This will be a battle of two fairly even teams. North Platte enters the tournament with a 20-8 record including winners of eight of their last 11 games. The Knights bring in the fourth best defensive team in the region, giving up 66 points a game. The Knights are led by by Danny Tucker, who is averaging 14.8 points a game. Also scoring double figures is Nathan Wilson at 11.3 points and Joseph Odugbela at 11 points.

Trinidad State enters the contest on a roll as well with a 17-13 record and winners of three of their last four games. The Trojans have been led Zach Smith, who has been Trinidad’s leading scorer in 18 of their 30 games. Smith is averaging 16.6 points and 9.7 rebounds a game. Trinidad also is getting solid play from Joe Fisher, who is averaging 13.8 points a game.

The winner faces the Sheridan/Eastern Wyoming winner Monday at 1 p.m.

Sunday, 3 p.m.

Lamar C.C. vs. Northeast Nebraska

Lamar Community College enters the regional stinging from a late season loss to McCook Community College and Trinidad State. The Runnin’ Lopes enter with a 23-6 record and before those two end-of-the-season losses, the Lopes have been one of the hottest teams. Lamar is averaging 72.8 points a game, 12^th in Region IX, but boast the second best defensive team at 64.6 points.

The Runnin’ Lopes are led by sophomore Brandon Johnson at 17.1 points. Mike Bogar has also came up big for the Lopes pulling down 6.2 rebounds a game. Delvin Franklin is averaging 12.4 points a game and shooting 48 percent from the 3-point line.

Northeast Nebraska enters with a 7-22 mark. The Hawks are last in scoring offense at 65.9 points a game, but a lot better on the defense, ranked 11^th giving up 75.8 points a game. The Hawks are led by Ken Moore at 12.3 points, Robert Progue at 11.2 points and Oneil Mangal at 10.6 points. Arsenio Carter is also pulling down 6.6 rebounds a game.

The winner faces either Casper or Dawson Monday a 3 p.m.

Sunday, 6 p.m.

Laramie County vs. Miles City

Again, this pits two fairly even ball clubs. Miles City enters the tournament with a 17-13 record and winners of their last three games. The Pioneers are averaging 79.1 points on offense and giving up 74.2 points on defense, both 7^th in Region IX. The Pioneers are led by Jake Rios, Greg Hire and Aaron Sutton who are averaging 16.4, 15.6 and 14.8 points a game. Miles City also has two of the top free throw shooters in the region in Rios and Kale Eike, both hitting over 81 percent of their shots.

Laramie County, on the other hand, counters with Ralph Woodson, who is one of the best players in Region IX. Woodson is averaging 18.6 points a game, 9.67 rebounds a game and is shooting a Region IX-leading 66.76 from the field. The Golden Eagles, who are 14-16 on the year, also get scoring from Donnell Lyons at 14.4 points, DeAngelo McIntosh at 13.8 points and Kierra Miller at 11.2 points.

The winner faces either NJC or McCook Monday at 6 p.m.

Sunday, 8 p.m.

Northwest Wyoming vs. Western Wyoming

The final first-round game could be a defensive slugfest between two teams that are strong defensively, or it could be an offensive showdown as both teams have scorers.. Northwest Wyoming, 20-10, is the top-ranked team in the region allowing just 62.4 points a game. The Trappers, though, are only scoring 72.5 points a game.

Northwest has some exciting athletes, including Milan Stanojevic, who is third in Region IX in scoring at 18.1 points a game. He is shooting 47 percent from the 3-point area. Northwest is also led by Nate Miller at 17.5 points (fourth in Region IX) an dBrett Sommerville at 10.9 points a game.

Western Wyoming enters the tournament with a 12-16 mark, but with a good defense allowing 76 points a game. The Spartans are also one of the top 3-point shooting teams in the region at 40 percent. The Mustangs are led by Cory Kaminska’s 12.4 points a game followed by Casey Robinson at 10.6 points. Auston Robinson also is a threat shooting 49 percent from 3-point area.

The winner faces either WNCC or Otero Monday at 8 p.m.