We have been able to put together an incredible run the last two years in the Dogger Dome, going undefeated with a 24-0 record. Our guys have really enjoyed getting to put on a show in front of big home crowds. We are all thankful for the fans that have come out to support our boys.”

Coach Chris Cook

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The Doggers play Guernsey away, Friday at 5:30 p.m.

LINGLE – The Lingle-Fort Laramie (LFL) Doggers captured an historic 24th consecutive home victory with a 66-51 triumph against Kimball, Nebraska, before a packed gym on Saturday, February 15.

The 2024-2025 Doggers are the first team to record two years of undefeated home games in Lingle and LFL basketball history.

The Doggers opened regulation with a 9-0 run against Kimball in the first few minutes and never looked back, sealing the win in an epic third quarter that saw LFL top Kimball in scoring, 27-16.

“We have been able to put together an incredible run the last two years in the Dogger Dome, going undefeated with a 24-0 record,” coach Chris Cook said. “Our guys have really enjoyed getting to put on a show in front of big home crowds. We are all thankful for the fans that have come out to support our boys.”

The Doggers posted their 24th home win on Senior recognition night, honoring Elijah Hatch, Ned Nelson, Kaiden Riggs, Brody Roberts, Cooper Smith and Skyler Thomas.

“These six senior guys have been so instrumental in helping our program grow the last four years,” coach Cook added. “As coaches, we are so proud of them and thankful for their leadership.”

On Friday, LFL traveled to play Rock River. The Doggers overwhelmed the Longhorns, 70-21, to remain the undisputed No. 1 team in 1A Southeast with a 20-0 overall record and 9-0 conference record.

Rock River

The Doggers roared onto the court in the first quarter against Rock River, netting five times the points tallied by the Longhorns, 25-5.

LFL outdid itself in the second quarter with an aggressive offense tallying 27 points while a rock-solid defense held Rock River to five.

The Doggers kicked off the running clock in the second quarter and led by 42 points, 52-10, at halftime.

LFL’s starters came out of the game early in the second half, providing an opportunity for different lineups to get varsity game time.

Nine Doggers contributed to the final scoring spread against Rock River, led by junior Brady Cook with 16 points. Cook shot 7-for-8 from the field (88 percent).

Junior Anthony Arnusch and Hatch also scored double digits at 12 and 11, respectively. Arnusch went 4-for-4 from outside the perimeter and Hatch 3-for-4.

Roberts collected nine points, Nelson and Smith six apiece with four by Riggs and freshman Lincoln Speckner. Junior Jace Schlagel rounded the tally out with a close-range shot.

Cook went double-double against Rock River, pulling down 10 rebounds. 

“The guys continued to play great team basketball (against Rock River), even with some different lineups implemented,” coach Cook said. “The boys moved and shared the ball very well against (the Longhorns’) zone defense.”

Kimball

The Doggers hit the ground running in the first quarter against Kimball with a 9-0 run. Arnusch commenced scoring for LFL with a close-range shot and Roberts went 2-for-2 at the charity stripe.

Cook forced his way into the perimeter to score and Roberts converted an and-1.

LFL remained ahead, 16-6, at the end of the first following a 3-pointer by Hatch and two buckets from Roberts.

On defense, Thomas and Roberts both picked up steals in the opening quarter.

The Doggers topped Kimball in scoring, 17-13, in the second quarter. LFL maintained the defensive pressure with steals by Thomas, Arnusch and Hatch. A buzzer-beater jumper by Cook placed the Doggers ahead, 33-19, at halftime.

A whirlwind third quarter saw the Doggers outscore Kimball, 27-16. Roberts maintained the momentum on offense with 10 points while Cook contributed eight. Nelson scored twice from inside the perimeter, Arnusch drained a trey and Hatch tossed in a jumper.

Roberts led the Doggers in scoring against Kimball with 25 points. The senior also filled out the stat sheet with four rebounds and three steals.

“Brody drew the assignment of guarding their best player and did that beautifully,” coach Cook said. “Brody made things difficult for him and created opportunities for himself on the offensive end.”

Cook collected double-digit points as well with 19. Hatch and Arnusch both netted eight points, Nelson four and Smith two.

Cook passed the ball for four assists and pulled down nine rebounds. Nelson also posted a strong performance on the boards with seven rebounds. Roberts reached up for two blocks.

“(Kimball) was the final home game for our six seniors that have given a ton of time and effort to our program,” coach Cook said. “We wanted to send them out the right way with another great effort in the Dogger Dome. Kimball is a talented team and we knew we would need to be ready to play great team defense. We forced six turnovers in the first quarter, six more in the second, followed with five in the third. Kimball is a good shooting team, but with our guys’ commitment to ball pressure, they struggled.”