Published on January 13, 2026 7:40 am
Last Updated on January 13, 2026 8:53 am
BEECHER CITY — The game winning shot came at the buzzer.
Neoga and Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City duked it out Monday evening in boys high school basketball.
The Indians moved into a 13-7 opening quarter lead as Kaden Bryant connected on three baskets for six points while Grady Haarman scored five.
Neoga continued to have the momentum with a 10-8 second period to lead 23-15 at halftime. Cayden Hakman hit a three-pointer while three other players scored in the quarter.
But here came Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City. Remington Howell connected on three baskets and a free throw for seven points while Clive Schlanser hit a three-pointer and the Bobcats had pulled within three points going into the final period.
Howell put in six points in the final quarter. Griffin Vaughn, who had only six points through the first three quarters, got untracked with three baskets and two free throws for eight. Cosart added two baskets.
The game-winner came at the buzzer as Vaughn hit a shot that won the game for the Bobcats.
Howell finished with 18 points to lead the Bobcats, connecting on six baskets that included a three-pointer, and was five of seven at the line. Vaughn added 14 points on six field goals and two of three at the line.
Neoga had only one player in double figures. Bryant finished with six baskets and two free throws for 14 points. Trenton Ballinger added nine points.
At Beecher City
NEOGA (44)
Ballinger 3-0 — 9, Hakman 1-0 — 3, Haarman 2-2 — 7, Coy 1-0 — 2, Sparrow 1-0 — 2, Ray 2-1 — 5, Fearday 1-0 — 2, Bryant 6-2 — 14. TOTALS 17 FG, 5 FT.
CHBC (45)
Cosart 2-0 — 4, G. Vaughn 6-2 — 14, Howell 6-5 — 18, Sarver 1-0 — 2, Lilly 1-2 — 4, Schlanser 1-0 — 3, C. Vaughn 0-0 — 0. TOTALS 17 FG, 9 FT.
Neoga 13 10 7 14 — 44
CHBC 7 8 12 18 — 45
3-point FG — Neoga 5 (Ballinger 3, Hakman 1, Haarman 1), Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City 2 (Howell 1, Schlanser 1).
At Patoka
Dieterich also had a close contest with Patoka, pulling out a 45-43 victory in non-conference action Monday evening.
Patoka moved into a 9-6 opening quarter lead and pushed that to 25-16 at halftime.
Dieterich had only three baskets in that opening half but were clicking away from the free throw line with 10 of 10. Ezra Cook led the way with six points.
The Maroons then got back on track in the third quarter. Dieterich put in 10 points as Bryce Bohnhoff scored five, Brock Niemerg three and Jackson Icenogle a basket while Patoka did not score.
Dieterich held a 26-25 lead going into the final period where the Maroons kept the momentum with a 9-8 quarter. Brock Niemerg scored six of those nine points while Cook put in the other three and the Maroons had pulled out the victory.
Niemerg led the way with 13 points on three field goals and seven of seven at the line while Bohnhoff and Cook contributed nine each.
At Patoka
DIETERICH (35)
French 0-0 — 0, Niemerg 0-0 — 0, Meinhart 0-0 — 0, Niemerg 3-7 — 13, Bohnhoff 3-3 — 9, Cook 2-5 — 9, Icenogle 2-0 — 4. TOTALS 10 FG, 15 FT.
PATOKA (33)
B. Haines 2-0 — 5, Roberts 2-4 — 9, Thompson 0-0 — 0, Burks 6-0 — 12, Spencer 2-0 — 4, Cain 0-0 — 0 TOTALS 13 FG, 4 FT.
Dieterich 6 10 10 9 — 35
Patoka 9 16 0 8 — 33
3-point FG — Dieterich 0, Patoka 3 (B. Haines 1, Roberts 1, Cain 1).