Stone-cold Steers lose to Sudan

Farwell’s Tate Nichols drives splits Sudan defenders Michael Warren and Dagan Provence during the first half of their game Tuesday in Farwell. Farwell fell to Sudan 66-52. (CNJ staff photo: Eric Kluth)

FARWELL — The Farwell Steers had an unfriendly rim in their home gym, as an uncharacteristically poor shooting night led to a 66-52 loss to the second-ranked Sudan Hornets on Tuesday in a District 3-1A contest.

In the second half, Farwell went 3 for 23 from the field.

Averaging around eight 3-pointers a game, the Steers made only three in their district opener.

“It wasn’t that we were taking bad shots; we were getting open looks,” Farwell Steers coach Clint Conkin said. “If we make our shots, it’s a tie ball game.”

In the opener of the district doubleheader, Sudan beat Farwell 50-26 in a girls contest.

Deterron, Jeramee and Jerry Smith used their height advantage to combine for 42 points and 26 rebounds for the Hornets (13-5, 1-0 district). All are at least 6-foot-2. Farwell’s tallest player is 6-1 sophomore Derrick Chandler.

“Once we found out mismatches inside, we hurt them,” Sudan coach Mike Warren said.

Deterron Smith had a game-high 20 points, including 16 in the second half. Jeramee Smith pulled down a game-high 13 rebounds.

Farwell (14-8, 0-1) countered with quickness to penetrate the paint for layup attempts or to draw fouls.

Tate Nichols, who finished with a team-high 15 points for the Steers, consistently danced around the Smiths for point-blank shots. Nichols also hit 5 of 8 free throws. As a team, the Steers made 15 of 24 free throws. The Hornets made their only free-throw attempt.

“As small as we are, I’m glad we’re quick, otherwise we’d really be in trouble,” Conkin said.

Meanwhile, the Lady Blue were in trouble all night.

“They’re very disciplined,” Farwell Lady Blue coach Doug Boyd said of Sudan (17-7, 2-0), which is also ranked second in Class 1A. “They’re like little robots. They do everything they’re supposed to do.”

Ashlie Martin led the Lady Blue (8-15, 0-1) with eight points.