Max Greeley puts up 50 spot in Gering win; Bulldogs girls snap losing skid

The senior scored 50 points, beating the 35-year-old record of 41 points set by Michael Palomo in 1987 when the Bulldog boys won the 82-45 win over Torrington.

The Gering girls were also victorious on senior night when the Bulldogs recorded the 54-38 win over Torrington with balanced scoring and ball control. The win sparked an 11-game losing streak.

Greeley said his dream was to break the school record and after the third quarter when he had 30 points he knew he had a chance.

He set the mark with just over four minutes to play a bucket and a foul to give the Bulldogs the 70-37 lead.

“I’ve wanted it for a long time and I’ve told everyone you guys can help me get it,” said Greeley, one of the five seniors on the team. “Thanks to my teammates because they all contributed to me turning 50.”

Greeley’s 50 points was a team effort as different players contributed in different ways, whether it was goals, rebounds, assists or steals. Greeley also had a double in rebounds and assists in the contest.

“We’re playing really well and we’re playing with the best basketball that Gering has played in the last five years,” he said. “It’s really good. I will remember this game for the rest of my life.”

The Bulldogs were 9-0 down early in the game, but Greeley’s hot shooting put the Bulldogs back in the game. He scored all nine of Gering’s points in the first quarter to tie the game.

Torrington led by two after the first quarter when Ben Firminhac scored with 58 seconds left.

“We started super slow, starting 9-0, but our coach pushed us to play like we normally do – like we do in our 7-game streak,” Greeley said. “We made it and won.”

The second quarter went back and forth as Gering went into the dressing room at 26-19 as a trio of Bulldogs got into the scoring column.

In the third quarter, Gering opened up the contest as they took a 40-25 lead with a 3-pointer from Greeley. The Bulldogs carried a 20-point cushion into the fourth quarter.

Gering opened the final stanza with a 15-3 run to lead 65-33 and never looked back.

Low allowed eight different players to score. Greeley had 50, followed by Uriah Ybarra at 11 and Jackson Howard at seven.

Torrington was led by Firminhac at 15, followed by Skyler Sargent at 14.

Low started all three seniors Carleigh Pszanka, Savannah Baird and Nickie Todd.

Todd had a boot on his foot and they tipped the ball to her and she immediately threw it to coach Steve Land and left the game.

Gering coach Steve Land said they played well as a unit to claim the win.

“The kids were talking about how they were going to send the seniors out with a good win and I thought we were capable of that,” Land said. “I thought everyone came in, contributed and scored. We got our switching game going at times and controlled the basketball. We had minimal turnover tonight and that’s always a good key. They broke away for a couple of 3-pointers, but overall our defense held.

Gering led 12-4 after the first quarter after back-to-back 3-pointers from Baird and Mackenzie Todd.

Both teams scored 13 points in the second quarter as Gering took a 25-17 lead at the break

In the third quarter, Gering began opening up the competition. The Bulldogs beat Torrington 24-11 behind two 3-pointers from freshman Jacelyn Brown and built up a 17-point cushion.

Torrington fought back as they reduced the deficit to 45-33 on a Marina Pastalle three, but Pszanka held on to the free-throw line as she hit two vital free throws and a key bucket to help Gering snag her slingshot.

Pszanka led the Bulldogs with 14 points, followed by Mackenzie Todd with 13 and Neveah Hraska with 11.

Torrington was led by Pastalle with 11, followed by Moorehouse and Teryn Stokes with eight points each. Olive Osmera contributed seven points.

Adam Bartlett 2, Ben Firminhac 15, Landre Greiman 6, Ryan Moorehouse 3, Skyler Sargent 14, Ned Nelson 3, Ryan Baker 2.

Max Greeley 50, Eli Marez 2, Nate Seiler 3, Jacob Van Anne 3, Uriah Ybarra 11, Jackson Howard 7, John Coakley 2, Kaden Bohnsack 4.

Olive Osmera 7, Matalie Long 2, Marissa Moorehouse 8, Marina Pastalle 11, Kalissa Reyes 2, Teryn Stokes 8.

Makenzie Todd (13), Jacelyn Brown (6), Nevaeh Hrasky (11), Savannah Baird (5), Jenna Davis (3), Carleigh Pszanka (14), Jaleigh Kumm (2).