Both of last season’s champions in the I-70 Conference Basketball Tournament successfully defended their titles Saturday, Dec. 13 in Orrick.
As heard on KMMO-FM 102.9, the boys’ title was won again by Crest Ridge as they defeated previously unbeaten St Paul Lutheran, 56-45. That followed an impressive effort from the Lone Jack girls who were crowned champions on their side of the bracket for the fourth season in succession, after shutting down Crest Ridge, 52-35.
Now 5-1 on the year, the Cougar boys wrapped up the week-long event by pulling away in the last half for their double-digit victory. Down by five early in the second quarter, Crest Ridge regrouped in time to fashion for themselves a 25-24 lead at intermission. The final two frames were a nightmare for the Saints who were held to just six points during the third period. Crest Ridge was on top, 39-30 after three quarters and then built that advantage to as much as 14 before settling for their 11-point, 56-45 victory.
St Paul was uncharacteristically in foul trouble during this one as three of their players had to leave the contest early. The Cougars lived at the charity stripe down the stretch, shooting 33 free throws and making 20 of them.
Crest Ridge had very balanced scoring with three players in double figures. Wesley Taylor and Landon Evans both tossed in 13 points while Jace Trobough added 11. Chipping in with nine points each for the 5-1 Cougars were Wyatt Brant and Cabe Shippy. Falling to 4-1 was top-seeded Saint Paul with Gus Sayre scoring 14 points for them as Tate Kreisel was held to 13 before fouling out with four minutes left.
In the girls’ championship game, Crest Ridge put themselves behind the eight ball by getting in foul trouble and making numerous turnovers from beginning to end. Lone Jack completely throttled the Cougar offense as they led 14-6 after one period and then 28-12 at the break. The 5-2 Mules pretty much coasted to the final horn, winning very comfortably 52-35.
Lauren Roth dominated the game from her guard position with a solid floor performance and 16 points while Rylee Shull added 14 for a Lone Jack team that won its 14th straight I-70 Conference Tournament contest. Brylinn Fleming sat out a large portion of the contest in foul trouble, scoring only 11 for her side with Laney Wilhite adding 10 for 4-2 Crest Ridge.
Both of Saturday’s third-place games came down to a last-second shot that missed as Lone Jack edged out Wellington-Napoleon, 46-43 in the boys’ matchup after Wellington’s girls had earlier nipped St Paul, 49-47 to kick off the long day of basketball.
In the Mules-Tigers boys’ contest, the lead see-sawed back and forth all day before Lone Jack left the door open by missing enough late free throws to give Wellington one last opportunity. Trailing by three in the waning seconds, the Tigers were off-target on a long jumper that would have tied it, securing the win for the Mules. Kyle Rowland tallied 11 for Lone Jack with Jace Mefferd scoring eight for Wellington.
In the early-afternoon girls’ third-place game, St Paul fell behind Wellington, 20-3 late the the first quarter before making a wonderful rally to lead, 42-41 early in the final period. But the Tigers then recovered in time to outscore the Saints’ eight to five at the end, holding off St Paul 49-47. Cali Russell tallied 15 points as Makayla Simsheuser and Ayden Ellensohn both mustered 11 for a Wellington team that was playing without their top player, Anniston Hampton. Meanwhile, Bella Woods had 20 points and Chloe Fahrmeier added 17 for the Saints.
Other tournament scores from Saturday:
At The 70th Centralia Tournament
Boys Consolation: Centralia 55, North Callaway 41
Boys Third Place: Salisbury 51, Van-Far 44
Boys Championship: Moberly 64 Hallsville 58
All-Tournament Team:
Tatum Braman, Hallsville
Keilin Dorman, Hallsville
Cameron Doubrava, Moberly
Jar Glover, North Callaway
Amare Hawkins, Moberly
Hunter Hull, Centralia
Ethan Land, Moberly
Andy Jenkins, Hallsville
Jake Peiffer, Salisbury
Pacey Reading, Van-Far
Evan Utterback, Van-Far
Patrick White, Salisbury
At The Husker Classic, Higginsville
Girls Championship: Oak Grove 53, Odessa 41
Boys Third Place: Lafayette County 70, Richmond 52
Boys Championship: Smithville 69, Oak Grove 62
At The Pilot Grove Tiger Classic
Boys Seventh Place: Smithton 64, Bunceton 19
Boys Consolation: New Bloomfield 43, Jamestown 27
Boys Third Place: Sturgeon 35, Prairie Home 34
Boys Championship: Sacred Heart 72, Pilot Grove 57
At The Twelve Courts of Christmas Shootout, Kansas City
Girls
Brunswick 56, Chesterton Academy (KCMO) 2
Boys
Grandview 70, Brunswick 38
Westran 62, Northwest (Hughesville) 48