The Alliance St. Agnes boys’ basketball team saw their successful season come to a close on Monday with a 61-43 loss to Gering in the semifinals of an end-of-year tournament held in Scottsbluff. Despite a valiant effort, the Crusaders couldn’t overcome an early deficit, finishing the season with an impressive 11-5 record. Gering used a 14-0 run in the first quarter to take control of the game, and though Alliance fought back, the Bulldogs held on for the win. Tripp Johnson led the Crusaders with 14 points, while Cisco Cody added 10.
The first quarter started competitively, with Cody scoring four quick points to tie the game at 4. However, Gering took control around the three-minute mark, going on a 14-0 run to build an 18-4 lead. Grayson Dibrito ended the Crusaders’ scoring drought with a three-pointer, but Gering responded with four straight points to extend their lead to 22-7. A late basket by Enzo Kappius brought the score to 22-9 at the end of the first quarter.
The Crusaders battled back in the second quarter, outscoring Gering 12-9 to narrow the gap. Alliance opened the period with five straight points, including a basket by Danny Jelinek and a three-pointer by Johnson, cutting the deficit to 22-14. Gering answered with two baskets, but a score by Joe Collins kept the Crusaders within striking distance at 26-16. Johnson hit another three-pointer, and a later basket brought Alliance within seven at 28-21. However, Gering closed the half with three straight points, taking a 31-21 lead into halftime.
Gering’s third-quarter runs proved too much for the Crusaders to overcome. Dibrito opened the scoring with a basket, but the Bulldogs responded with four straight points to push their lead to 35-23. Alliance fought back with a 7-2 run, fueled by a basket from Collins, a three-pointer by Johnson, and a score by Jelinek, cutting the deficit to 37-30. However, Gering regained momentum with three consecutive three-pointers, extending their lead to 46-30. Kappius ended the quarter with a basket, but the Crusaders trailed 46-32 heading into the final period.
Cody led the way for Alliance in the fourth quarter, scoring six points to keep the Crusaders within reach. Gering opened the period with a basket, but Johnson and Jelinek answered with a three-pointer and a basket, respectively. Cody added a score to bring Alliance within 11 at 50-39. After a brief scoring drought, Cody scored back-to-back baskets to cut the deficit to eight, but Gering closed the game with a 10-0 run to secure the 61-43 victory.
Scoring Summary:
ALL: 9 | 12 | 11 | 11 — 43
GER: 22 | 9 | 15 | 15 — 61
Crusaders Scoring:
Tripp Johnson: 14 points
Cisco Cody: 10 points
Danny Jelinek: 6 points
Grayson Dibrito: 5 points
Joe Collins: 4 points
Enzo Kappius: 4 points