After starting the season 0-5, the Hill City boys basketball team has won two out of the last three games. The only loss came to “AA” Sturgis. The Rangers led Sturgis after the first quarter 15-13. Hill City led 29-15 midway through the second quarter and then the Scoopers came roaring back. Sturgis took a 31-29 lead at the half and outscored the Rangers 44-25 in the second half.
Jacob Harris led the Rangers with 14 points, Jac Cutler had 12 points, Shawn Kuhnel had 11 and Chance Simmons had nine points. Kuhnel also had eight assists and four rebounds.
On Friday night, the Rangers hosted Lead-Deadwood. The Rangers jumped all over Lead from the beginning with a 16-2 lead after the first quarter and a 32-9 lead at halftime. Hill City allowed only one field goal in the first half. The Rangers maintained the lead in the second half and secured a 52-23 victory.
Ryan Skillingstad led the Rangers with 17 points and 12 rebounds. Harris had nine, Simmons had eight, Cutler had six, Kuhnel had five, Taylor Edwards had four and Noe Escalante had three.
“I am pleased that we are playing with much more confidence,” said coach Blake Gardner. “I feel like we have a lot of balance on offense and we could have several different guys score in double figures on any given night. Things are starting to click, but we need to stay committed to playing hard, playing good defense and rebounding."