ELM CREEK – The Elwood boys basketball team secured one of its best seasons in school history as they ended the regular season in thrilling fashion, as they defeated Elm Creek 44-43 Friday night.
The Buffs started out leading the Pirates by a 14-11 score after the first quarter. Elwood cut the lead by half time, trailing 24-22.
The Pirates have been known to make a run or two in the second half, and head coach Kurt Banzhaf rallied the troops once again, keeping the Pirates in the basketball game, as they still trailed by a single point 36-34 at the end of three.
Elwood then turned up the defense as they held the Buffaloes to just seven points in the fourth quarter, as the Pirates were able to get key points down the stretch and the Pirates closed out another close win, as they got the one-point victory.
Shooting wasn’t the greatest for the Pirates Friday night, going 15 of 46 (33 percent) from the field, while shooting only 4 of 21 (19 percent) from three point range.
The Pirates however shot 10 of 14 (71 percent) from the free throw line, while Elm Creek could only manage 7 of 17 (41 percent).
Senior Jesse Roberts played stellar in his final regular season game for Elwood, scoring 14 points. Roberts fell one rebound shy of a double-double, grabbing nine boards. Senior Tanner Nelson finished his regular season with nine points, along with four steals, while senior Braeden Banzhaf chipped in for nine points, along with four steals also.
Elwood reaches the 10-win mark as they improve to 10-8 on the season. Elm Creek falls to 7-11 overall.
Elwood faced Ansley (1-17) in the opening round of the D1-10 sub-district tournament held in Gothenburg.
The Pirates took it to the Warriors early and kept their post-season alive with a 44-28 victory over Ansley.
Senior Tanner Nelson led with 17 points, while senior Braeden Banzhaf scored 11 points. Banzhaf also recorded a team-high six steals in the victory.
Senior Jesse Roberts led the team with nine rebounds.
The Pirates shot a total of 42 percent from the field, while going 25 percent (4 of 16) from three point range. Elwood also shot well from the free throw line, going 6 for 10.
The Pirates moved onto the sub-district semi-finals where they took on No.1 Overton.
The winner of that game takes on the winner of the Arapahoe-Bertrand semi-final match-up.
Game, story and photos will be in the Saturday issue of the Lexington Clipper-Herald.

• Elwood Boys Basketball
• Elwood Pirates

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