Save a little three year run from 1969 to 1971 when Cozad appeared in three state finals, basketball has kind of been an afterthought for most in the town. It was something to pass the time until football starts again in southwest Nebraska along US Highway 30.
But, former hometown hoops star Brian Davis is working on changing that and he’s got a town full of help. The Haymakers take a 9-2 record — they have won five straight — into a big week where they will host Gothenburg (8-3) on Thursday and travel to unbeaten and fifth-ranked Ainsworth on Saturday. The Gothenburg game can be seen on the Haymaker Striv channel.
“It’s a big week for us,” said Davis, who played at Hastings College after high school and is now a partner at Berreckman and Davis Law Firm in Cozad. “We have battled a ton of sickness this year and we are finally healthy it seems like.
“Our defense has really got us through this year so far. We’ve had nights we turn it over or don’t shoot it well, but our defense has always been there. Gothenburg is big on experience and that trip to Ainsworth is a long one. They always play well at home. We think we match up with both teams pretty well.”
Shaking off the rust from a run to the Class C-1 football semifinals, the Haymakers lost their opener to Chase County (7-2 and ranked eighth) 58-45. They have not given up 50 points since and their other loss was a 41-28 set back to Class B Hastings on December 19th. Cozad is allowing just 42.6 points per game.
A 47-45 overtime win over previously unbeaten North Platte St. Pat’s on Saturday has set up Cozad for a big week. Seniors Jason Finnegan (16 points) and Conor Young (13 points) led the way in that game, Davis said the Makers are far from a two-man show.
“Conor has really battled some sickness for us early this year,” Davis said. “But it really helped us. We have some kids really step up and embrace their role on the team. In different games we have had a number of players make big plays for us, whether it was a big shot, or a rebound or a key defensive play.”
While Finnegan, Young and Colin Wetovick account for 32 of the Haymakers 46 point scoring average, Davis said the other four players in the rotation — Andrew Sayer, Chase Dugan, Austin Turek and Jordan Henry — have had key roles.
“We have a saying that it doesn’t matter who is on the floor, but the name that is on your chest,” Davis said. “I think we’ve got a great group of kids who all have a good understanding of their role on our team.”
When he took the program over four years ago, he was hopeful to build a winner for the community. The work is finally starting to show up, the coach said. The Haymakers qualified for the state basketball tournament for the first time in 35 seasons in 2014.
“(Football) Coach (Brian) Cargill and I talk quite a bit about how winning and hard work can be kind of a snowball,” Davis said. “Kids can learn how to lose, but they also learn how to win. A lot of things snowball. We see it in our crowd at home games; the crowd appreciates our effort, we appreciate the support from our community and it helps us.
“And, anytime you have won like we have and our football program has, you have great parents. I think these parents have allowed us to push and expect more from their kids. They take pride in our program, too. Now we are winning in junior high, we are winning freshman games. There is a lot of pride in our community.”
Let’s Rewind
– Basketball improving in Lincoln
– Neumann, Bergan lift Centennial Conference
– After coming close, Islanders finally get upset
– North Platte girls enjoy turnaround
– Northwest, St. Paul’s Gross dominate Central City wrestling invite
