Buehler breaks school scoring record

The Hill City High School Rangers boys basketball team had a big week with back-to-back wins and  shattered a 16-year school record.
The Rangers took on the Wall Eagles Jan. 30 in a well-matched game at home. The Eagles took an early lead and held it for most of the game.
In the second quarter Zane Messick was fouled on a three-point shot and sunk the free throw for a four-point play, bringing the Rangers within two points of Wall. Messick followed with another three, bringing the Rangers ahead for the first time in the game.
The lead changed several times with the Rangers down by three at the half. The second half of the game brought about even more excitement with a technical foul called on the Wall Eagles’ head coach. Devin Buehler went to the line for the Rangers, making both free-throw attempts, closing the gap.
Another foul sent Buehler back to the line. On his first of two made free throws he broke the Hill City High School boys basketball all-time scoring record with his 1,249th point. The 2009 record was previously held by Andy Coy.
The Rangers then went on a three-basket run to get within one point of the Eagles with two minutes remaining. In an all-out effort, the Rangers held the Eagles to just seven points in the fourth quarter while putting up 16 to ultimately win the game with a final score of 66-61. It was a balanced scoring effort with everal players scoring in the double digits.
“Wall got out to the lead because they were hitting shots,” said head coach Laramie Harvey. “Their best player, the Kjerstad kid, he’s good. When we were willing to step in and take charge and get him into foul trouble, that was a huge momentum shift.”
When asked about Buehler becoming the boys basketball all-time leading scorer, Harvey said, “It’s a testament to Devin. I think he’s started in every game since he’s been a freshman, and in my mind that’s almost more impressive than the point deal.
“He’s a great kid, great teammate, he’s the leader of our program. He deserves it, but it’s also a testament to all the other kids. It’s not just an individual deal; it’s a team deal, and Devin’s had a lot of good teammates. It’s something he should be proud of and something that the rest of the kids should be proud of too.”
The Alcester-Hudson Cubs also fell to the Hill City Rangers this week at an away game Feb. 1 in Irene with a final score of 61-51.
“Alcester is a quality team, but I felt like we still didn’t play to where we should be playing,” said Harvey. “If we want to play with the teams we feel like we are capable of beating, we have to come ready to play and play to our ability, all the time, regardless of who we’re playing.”
The team was led by Buehler with 15 points, Messick with 13 and Dax Frandsen with 12.
The Rangers loss earlier last week to the Sturgis Brown Scoopers Jan. 28 was a major setback, according to Harvey.
“It was back and forth all game. Defensively what we talked about, what we went over with and what we wanted to do, we kind of had lapses at times that allowed them to win the game,” said Harvey.
Losing by just two points, Harvey said, “Every play matters, and that’s what we are always preaching to them.”
With the end of the season looming, the loss to Sturgis will affect more than just the Rangers record; it will also affect the teams seeding in the regional playoffs.
“Unfortunately, that game hurt us pretty big when it comes to standings for region play, where we are going to be at, home or on the road, or who we get to play. So that was a pretty big game,” Harvey said.
The boys go on the road this week taking on Chadron, Neb., Feb. 7 and Hot Springs the following day.