The Abilene High School Basketball Teams swept their county rival Chapman tonight at Chapman’s district gym.  The Cowgirls defeated the Lady Irish for an 18th straight time 45-42.  The Cowboys pulled away for their ninth straight win over the Irish in their 47-32 victory.

The girl’s game was close throughout as the score was tied at 11 at the end of the first quarter.  Abilene would take their biggest lead of the game at 19-11 on a Jensen Roth bucket with 4:14 to play in the half.  Chapman would close the quarter on a 5-0 run to cut the deficit to 19-16 at the intermission.

The Lady Irish would lead twice by one in the third quarter but the Cowgirls would still lead 30-26 headed into the fourth.  In the final quarter Abilene would lead by as much as 7 points but Chapman would cut the lead to 38-36 on a Brianna Loy three-pointer.  The Cowgirls would quickly regain the momentum on a Sydney Burton three with 1:43 left to go up 41-36.  Chapman did not get within three points the rest of the night. 

Abilene had three players finish with 10 points Juniors Burton and Hannah Willey and Sophomore Shiann Olberding.  Olbering’s 10 points were a career high.  The Lady Irish were lead by  Sophomore McKenna Kirkpatrick, who totaled 13 points on the night. 

The Cowgirls are now 5-1 and 2-0 in the NCKL.  Chapman has now lost three straight all in league action and is 3-3 on the season.

The Chapman boy’s knocked off defending 3A Champion Marysville last Friday and were hoping to do the same against Abilene.  Early on it looked like it might happen.  The Irish grabbed a 12-4 lead with 1:43 to go in the first quarter.  The Cowboys would respond and would outscore Chapman 21-3 the rest of the first half to take a 25-15 lead into the locker room.  Chapman hit a three to start the second quarter but Abilene scored 17 unanswered to head into the locker room.  The Cowboys would maintain a 10 point lead into the fourth quarter at 38-28.

Abilene was lead by Senior Tucker Robinson who finished with 16 points.  Junior Preston Boyd scored a career high 12 points for the Cowboys.  Chapman was led by Senior Zach Loy who totaled 10 points.

Abilene has now won two straight and the Cowboys are 3-3 and 2-0 in the NCKL.  Chapman fell to 3-3 and 1-2 in league play.  Abilene will travel to Marysville on January 5 and Chapman will travel to Clay Center on that same day.