The South Loup Bobcats faced a challenging week, dropping three non-conference games to Hershey, Sandhills/Thedford, and Bertrand. Despite the losses, the team saw standout performances from senior leaders and flashes of offensive efficiency.

On Tuesday, Jan. 6, South Loup struggled to keep pace with the Panthers at home, who jumped to an early lead and never looked back. Hershey outscored the Bobcats 20-8 in the first quarter and held South Loup to just 4 points in the second. The night ended in Hershey’s favor, 64-37.

Senior Crew Witthuhn led the Bobcats with 20 points, shooting 8-of-15 from the field and 3-of-6 from the free-throw line. He also grabbed 14 rebounds (2 offensive, 12 defensive) and added 2 assists, 1 steal, and 2 blocks. Senior Dylan Pandorf contributed 7 points, hitting 3-of-11 from the field with 3 rebounds and 2 assists. Senior Conner Paulsen had 4 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists, while junior Malachi Neth added 4 points and 3 rebounds. The Bobcats finished the game with 31 rebounds, including 6 offensive, 8 assists, and 6 steals.

South Loup hit the road Jan. 8 and fired up with a stronger offensive showing against Sandhills/Thedford but fell short in a competitive game. The Bobcats trailed by only 2 at halftime, thanks to a balanced attack. In the third and fourth, the Knights ratcheted up the pressure, outscoring the Bobcats to win the contest 70-59.

Paulsen had a dominant night, scoring 24 points, including 4 three-pointers and converting 6-of-8 free throws. He also grabbed 6 rebounds, dished out 5 assists, and recorded 2 steals and 1 block. Pandorf added 17 points on 7-of-13 shooting, including 3 three-pointers, with 5 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 steals. Crew Witthuhn had a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds, including 4 offensive boards, and contributed 2 assists, 4 steals, and 2 blocks. Sophomore Tysen Schacher scored 4 points, grabbed 5 rebounds, and led the team with 5 assists.

The Bobcats finished with 32 rebounds (6 offensive, 26 defensive), 15 assists, 9 steals, and 3 blocks, and hit 11-of-16 free throws. Despite the strong individual performances, turnovers and defensive lapses allowed Sandhills/Thedford to pull away late.

South Loup closed the week against Bertrand on Saturday, Jan. 10 and faced a tough defensive team. Bertrand jumped out to a 20-6 first-quarter lead, forcing South Loup to play catch-up the entire game. Despite a fourth quarter offensive rally, the Bobcats dropped the match 47-71.

Pandorf again led the Bobcats with 21 points, hitting 9 of 17 from the field, 1 three-pointer, and 2-of-6 from the line, along

Bobcat leader Dylan Pandorf goes up for two against the Bertrand Vikings last Saturday. (Photo courtesy of Ronda McFate) with 6 rebounds. Crew Witthuhn contributed 14 points, 7 rebounds, and added 3 assists and 3 steals. Paulsen had 12 points, 5 assists, and 3 steals, and junior Hudson Vickers grabbed 4 rebounds while Schacher added 2 assists and 2 steals.

South Loup finished the game with 26 rebounds (9 offensive, 17 defensive), 13 assists, 10 steals, and 1 block. They shot 18% from three-point range, 67% from the free-throw line, and 38% on two-point attempts. Bertrand’s hot shooting, led by senior Thunder Nelson’s 29 points, proved too much for the Bobcats to overcome.

Despite three losses, South Loup continues to rely on its veteran scorers and rebounders. The Bobcats’ consistency from Witthuhn, Pandorf, and Paulsen has provided steady offensive production, while younger players like Schacher and Neth are contributing key defensive stats. If they can improve three-point accuracy and reduce turnovers, South Loup will be poised to challenge for wins as the season continues.

This week will be another busy one for the now 2-8 Bobcats, with contests against Maxwell at home and Brady on the road on Friday, Jan. 16 and Saturday Jan. 17. After a couple of days rest, they will then travel to face the Arcadia/Loup City Rebels on Tuesday, Jan. 20. The home game on Jan. 16 will get underway at 7:30 p.m.