The Haxtun-Fleming Herald - What can we reason but from what we know? -Alexander Pope

Just one week after taking off their football pads the Haxtun Bulldogs were on the basketball court in the 2023-24 season opener. The team opened the season in Fleming in a contest with the Wildcats with less than a handful of basketball practices under their belts. The following week, Haxtun hosted Perkins County for the season's home opener.

Friday night's contest in Fleming pitted Bulldog Head Coach Jayden Stieb against his former coach from their time at Caliche High School. Fleming's Coach Randy Kirkwood led to Buffs to many state tournaments and titles in his time at Caliche. Stieb played on several of those teams.

The 23 Bulldogs on this year's team are under the direction of Stieb and his Assistant Coach Lance Chapdelaine.

Despite the small amount of practice time in the switch from football to basketball, the Bulldogs came out firing in Fleming. The Bulldog defense held the Wildcats to minimal points in the first half ultimately running away with a 62-25 win to start the season 1-0.

Sophomore Colin Cone led the Bulldogs in Fleming with 13 points. Junior Ryland Wolff put up 12 and sophomore Chase Goddard added 10. Kanin Koberstein added eight points followed by Mason Bornhoft with seven, Keegan Colglazier and Madden Larsen, each with three, and Tate Michael with two.

Tuesday night, Haxtun took on Perkins County from Nebraska. In a fast paced, higher-scoring game, the Bulldogs fell 63-44. Final stats from that contest were not yet available as of Wednesday morning.

A slight break in the schedule will give the Bulldogs several more days of practice before returning to the court on Saturday. Haxtun is set to host the Caliche Buffs on Dec. 9. So far this season, the Buffs are 0-2.