Cozad boys defeat Milford, will host Syracuse in C1-3 district final
Cozad's Chayden Hoffmaster looks at the hoop before attempting a 3 in the first half of the Haymakers' win over Central City in the Class C1-7 subdistrict Tuesday in Cozad.
Cozad's Gage Strauss goes up for a shot over Central City's Broc Rathbone in the Haymakers' home win during the Class C1-7 subdistrict semifinal Tuesday.
Cozad's Kellen Shoemaker flies in for a layup after a steal in the Haymakers' win over Central City Tuesday in the Class C1-7 subdistrict semifinal in Cozad.
Cozad's Julien Davis goes to release a 3 from the corner in the Haymakers' Class C1-7 subdistrict semifinal over Central City Tuesday in Cozad.
COZAD — The Cozad Haymakers defeated Milford 64-53 Thursday in the Class C1-7 subdistrict final in Cozad.
Cozad received the No. 3 seed in the district final lineup, and will host No. 14 Syracuse Saturday, Feb. 28.
The Haymakers were led by Kellen Shoemaker with 26 points. Olliver Davis chipped in 12 and Gage Strauss added 11.
Milford kicked off the night with a 7-0 run as Colby Rautenberg claimed five of the Eagles' points.
Cozad got on the board after a 3 by Julien Davis, cutting the deficit to four.
Julien Davis knocked down a second 3, and Shoemaker followed with his own to give Cozad their first lead at 11-8.
The Haymakers led 13-8 after Shoemaker scored off a steal.
Cozad held onto a 16-10 lead after Ethan Atchison hit a corner 3 to end the first quarter.
A 3 by Shoemaker kicked off the second quarter, extending Cozad's lead to nine.
After Milford pulled within five, Cozad scored three-straight 3s to pull away 28-14.
Shoemaker's fifth 3 put the Haymakers up 33-19 in the second quarter.
Back-to-back Milford baskets cut the deficit to 12, putting Cozad in charge 35-23 at halftime.
The second half started with a 3 by Shoemaker followed by back-to-back Olliver Davis baskets.
Milford used a 9-0 run to cut the deficit to 10, forcing Cozad to call a timeout.
A pair of Rautenburg free throws pulled the Eagles behind 42-34.
Strauss found himself open to hit a 3, putting Cozad up 11.
The Eagles finished off the third quarter with a 5-2 run.
Cozad led 47-39 to start the fourth.
Chayden Hoffmaster found the hoop to extend Cozad's lead to 10.
Rautenberg completed a 3-point play to pull the Eagles within five at 49-44.
Down the stretch, Milford started fouling to slow the Cozad offense.
The Haymakers went 9 for 10 at the free throw line to fend off the Eagles 64-53.
SEMIFINAL
The Haymakers won 89-46 over the Central City Bison Tuesday in the subdistrict semifinal.
Cozad was led by Shoemaker with a game-high 32 points. Olliver Davis chipped in 14, and Strauss added 12.
The Bison were led by Karter Negus with 18.
Central City was the first on the board after a basket by Kayden Morner.
Julien Davis responded with a 3 to give the Haymakers the lead 3-2.
Cozad followed with a 9-0 run to pull away at 12-2 after a 3 by Atchison.
Shoemaker knocked down a 3 and Strauss followed with a 3 then a basket to put Cozad up 20-5
The Haymakers had a 15-point lead to start the second quarter.
Cozad led 30-12 after a 3 by Shoemaker.
Negus hit back-to-back 3s to cut the deficit to 12.
The Haymakers went on a 14-2 run to take a 44-20 lead into halftime.
Central City kicked off the second half with a 3 from Jaic Rathbone.
Morner hit a 3 to cut the deficit to 20 before Olliver Davis' 3-point play.
The teams traded 3s down the stretch before a 3-0 Cozad run put the Haymakers up 24.
Cozad went up 60-33 after Shoemaker scored a basket off a steal.
Shoemaker went on his own 9-0 run, scoring his 30th point of the game that put Cozad up 69-36.
The Haymakers capped the third quarter with a 71-36 after Julien Davis hit a buzzer beating jump shot.
Negus opened the fourth with a 3-point play, cutting the deficit to 32.
Cozad went up 83-41 after a 12-2 run off a 3 by Atchison.
The Haymaker junior varsity subbed in, and Koang Deng knocked down a 3 to put Cozad up 86-44.
Deng gave the Haymakers their final score 89-46 after hitting a 3, giving Cozad the win to advance to the subdistrict final.
