The 89th annual MUDECAS basketball tournament kicked off on Tuesday at the Beatrice City Auditorium and Southeast Community College. For 64 years, the boys’ tournament has been played in the Beatrice City Auditorium.
The tournament is separated into two divisions. An A and B division with the A division games played at the Auditorium. Below are a few standouts from the first day of action in the A division.
» Freeman opened the tournament with a 48-37 win over Palmyra. 6-foot-3 sophomore Trey Yates led Freeman in scoring and showed that he is a player to keep an eye on in the 2020 class. Yates showcased a smooth shooting stoke and consistent range from behind the 3-point line.
» Johnson-Brock’s leading scorers are sophomore Ty Hahn and freshman Kaden Glynn. They didn’t disappoint in the Eagles’ 62-31 win over Tri County. Hahn recorded 20 points, but more impressive thing was his communication. He was the only player on either team that called out screens and switches in the game. Glynn scored 13 and is a crafty player that can make the highlight play.
» Falls City Sacred Heart dismantled Diller-Odell 52-20. Drew Bippes was the second leading scorer for the Irish. While he only scored 11 points, the 6-foot guard is the engine behind coach Doug Goltz’s system. Bippes was the best player on the floor and showed his natural leadership skills.
» Lincoln Parkview lost 64-61 to BDS in overtime, but senior guard Tucker Pinyan showed that he is more than just a shooter. The 5-foot-11 senior scored a team-high 16 points, but he was a great leader, encouraging teammates throughout the game even when shots weren’t falling.
