Basketball is heating up with three home games for the Western Nebraska Community College men's basketball team this week.
The Cougar men, who won the Region IX title last year and enter this season ranked 14th in the pre-season poll, will open the home portion of their season on Wednesday at 6 p.m. when they take on Colby Community College.
WNCC enters the contest at 2-0 after topping Central Wyoming College 111-106 and then dropping No. 3 College of Southern Idaho 105-102 last week at Riverton, Wyoming.
Colby also enters the contest at 2-0 after winning twice over the weekend. The Trojans topped Sterling College junior varsity 94-53 and then took down Sisserton Wahpeton College 99-64.
Colby is led by four players that are averaging in double figures after the opening weekend. David Hall is averaging 13.9 points a game followed by Ty Dalton at 12.2, and Craig Beaudion and Milton Wardlow both at 10.5.
WNCC, who is averaging 108 points a game, have six players in double figures. Jervay Green, who verbally committed to Nebraska, is averaging 26.5 points a game while Bryce Sanchious is pouring in 22 points a game.
Martin Roub is chipping in 18.5 points followed by Henry Tanksley at 17 points, Dru Kuxhausen at 10.5 and Elie Cadat at 10 points.
The last time the two teams played was the 2007-08 season when WNCC defeated Colby 92-59 in the first game of the season and then 77-72 at Colby a week later.
After Wednesday, WNCC will host the Region 9/18 Classic where WNCC and Casper College will represent Region IX while CSI and Salt Lake Community College will represent Region 18.
Friday's schedule has Casper taking on Salt Lake at 5:30 p.m. followed by the Cougars and No. 3 CSI at 7:30 p.m. Saturday's slate of contests pit Casper and CSI at 4 p.m. while WNCC takes on No. 8 Salt Lake at 6 p.m.
While the men are at home this week, the Cougar women will hit the road for a pair of contests in Council Bluffs, Iowa. The Cougar women, who are 1-1 on the season, will face No. 19 Iowa Western Community College on Friday and then take on Cloud County Community College on Saturday.
The WNCC women will then come back to Cougar Palace for their home opener on Wednesday, Nov. 14 when they face Northwest College at 7 p.m.
This Week in Cougar Athletes
Wednesday, November 7
- Men's Basketball: HOME vs. Colby Community College, Cougar Palace, 6 p.m.
- Video: https://youtu.be/nUwsKkOHETs
- Audio: Listen to the matches on KOZY 101.3FM or online at http://streamdb6web.securenetsystems.net/cirrusencore/KOZY
- Corporate Sponsors: Pepsi, Runza, Kris Davis
Friday, November 9
- Men's Basketball: HOME vs. No. 3 College of Southern Idaho, Cougar Palace, 7:30 p.m.
- First game: Casper vs. Salt Lake C.C., 5:30 p.m.
- Video: https://youtu.be/tmmn7cfedpA
- Corporate Sponsors: B&C Steel, JC Golf Carts, US BANK
- Women's Basketball: AWAY vs. No. 18 Iowa Western CC, Council Bluffs, Iowa, 4 p.m.
Saturday, November 10
- Men's Basketball: HOME vs. No. 8 Salt Lake C.C., Cougar Palace, 6 p.m.
- First game: Casper vs. College of Southern Idaho, 4 p.m.
- Video: https://youtu.be/aFMcBKSVYno
- Audio: Listen to the matches on KOZY 101.3FM or online at http://streamdb6web.securenetsystems.net/cirrusencore/KOZY
- Corporate Sponsors: Monument Smiles, LOGOZ, Regional West
- Women's Basketball: AWAY vs. Cloud County CC, Council Bluffs, Iowa, 12 p.m.
Sunday, November 11
- Softball: Softball Recruit Signing Ceremony, Pioneer Hall, 9 a.m.