Centre edges out Peabody
Staff writers
A homecoming crowd was treated to a spirited contest Friday between Centre and Peabody-Burns. Much to the host crowd’s delight, the Cougars came out on top, 48-42.
Santiago Knepp, Robert Spohn, and Nick Krch combined for 11 points in the first quarter. Centre trailed by one.
Dane Meier scored to open the second quarter and give Centre the lead.
The two teams were tied at halftime, but Centre took the lead in the third quarter on a two-point basket by Gentri Holub.
The Cougars led the entire second half except for a 27-27 tie in the third quarter. Holub scored four consecutive baskets in the fourth quarter, helping Centre to a 39-32 lead.
The Warriors battled back and got within one, 43-42, before Krch made a basket and snagged an inbound pass for another bucket and a free throw, resulting in a six-point victory for Centre.
Centre’s leading scorers were Krch, 17; Knepp, 13; and Holub, 12. Meier had six rebounds and Knepp had seven steals.
Centre’s record is 4-10.
The game was a hard fought battle for the Warriors. Christopher Spencer and Kael Hutchinson both fouled out late in the fourth quarter.
Luke Partridge and Jefferson Glover continued to score, bringing the Warriors within one, 43-42, late in the fourth.
Partridge would finish the game with 16 points, Spencer with 13 points, and Glover with 12 points.
The Warriors will hit the road Friday to face off against Canton-Galva.
Hillsboro ends two-game skid
The Trojan boys were looking to end a two-game skid after a 52-40 setback in the third-place game of the Trojan Classic against the Clay Center.
Tough starts and rugged second quarters have been instrumental in the Trojans’ bumpy season so far, but the shoe was on the other foot against the Lions.
Hillsboro took control of Friday’s game at Minneapolis from the tipoff, racing to a 19-7 lead after the first quarter and commanding a 37-12 advantage at the break in a 61-28 blowout.
Brekyn Ratzlaff scored a game-high 28 points, and Hillsboro made it a nightmare for Minneapolis, forcing 10 steals and 15 turnovers for a 24-4 edge in points off mistakes.
In perhaps the best game of the season up to now, Hillsboro hit a blistering 54% from the floor and 50% from outside, while getting 24 points in the paint with 15 assists.
“This was as impressive of a team win as we have had the entire season,” Trojan coach Darrel Knoll said. “I loved our energy, focus, determination, and consistent play. I thought everyone played really well and contributed to our success.”
The perfect Friday boosted the boys to 5-7 on the year heading into a tough week starting Tuesday at Haven and capping Friday, hosting Hesston
Goessel loses two
In a weather delayed tournament at Burrton, Goessel faced-off against Central Christian for third place.
A three-pointer by Grant Bryant gave the Bluebirds a 12-11 lead at the end of the first quarter. A basket by Koy Smith and four more points from Bryant gave the Bluebirds their last lead of the game. 18-15.
The Cougars went on a 19-4 run to close out the half leading 34-22. Jack Nickel scored seven points in a 10-point run by the Bluebirds to get as close as 42-34, but Central Christian extended its lead and recorded a 56-44 victory over Goessel.
Noah Schrag hit 12 points; Grant Bryant, 10; and Jack Nickel 7.
The much taller Moundridge team then took advantage of the Bluebirds’ lack of height Friday, winning by a score of 83-28 on Friday. The Wildcats led at halftime 54-14. The Bluebirds struggled to get rebounds and were allowed only one shot on each possession.
Noah Schrag led the Bluebirds with 7 points. Jake Wiens and Koy Smith each added 5.
Goessel (5-7) will have a home game Friday against Wakefield (1-12).
Marion drops one
The Warriors lost Friday’s road non-conference game against Council Grove, 61-53.
Caden Wilhelm and Jack Lanning led the team in scoring with 19 and 20 points each.
Cole Smith crashed the backboards with five defensive rebounds and seven offensive rebounds.
“Overall, this was our best four quarters we played as a team in a row,” coach Donald Raymer said. “We had our best night shooting the ball from inside the paint but our worst night shooting the three ball.”
Jonathan Frese went one of four from the three-point line. Lanning had nine three-point attempts with only one falling in. Carson Krause played for only three minutes and went one for one in three-point shots.
“The environment was tough,” Raymer said. “They had a really active student section right by our bench, and the pep band from Emporia State was their performing throughout the night making it really hard to communicate.
“We have struggled with communication on the court this whole year, but Friday we had to focus and rely on each other, and I believe this is why we played better,” Raymer said.
The Warriors (3-11) will play host to a strong Sterling Black Bears team (9-4) Friday.
Last modified Feb. 2, 2023