Author: Brian Turrel

by Brian Turrel

The Sumner Lady Sabres took possession of the 2018 Kansas City – Atchison League championship with a 64-57 win at Schlagle High School on Friday evening.

Sumner held an early lead, tallying the first 9 points and up 14-8 after the first quarter. The Lady Sabres got defensive stops by denying entry passes to the Schlagle offense, and they picked up open shots in transition.

In the second quarter, Schlagle sophomore Ishante Suttington fired up the offense by repeatedly getting to the rim with her dribble. In transition off missed Sumner shots, Suttington was difficult to stop at full speed. Sumner hit only 1 of 10 second-quarter free throws to let Schlagle close within 1 point by halftime.

Schlagle continued to rely on dribble penetration in the second half, finding little success in outside shooting or entry passes inside. Sumner got the outside shots in the third quarter, picking up two three-pointers and three straight free throws by Olivia Garvin. Sumner ended the third quarter up 51-38.

Sumner spent much of the fourth quarter at the line as Schlagle fouled to extend the game. The tactic helped to narrow the gap as Sumner continued to struggle at the line. Schlagle’s Kenaja Green hit three baskets in the quarter, but the Lady Stallions were still down by 7 when the final buzzer sounded.

Sumner’s Mya Allen led her team in scoring with 23 points and a strong inside presence. Garvin added 12 points and Elizabeth Vaughn 10. Sumner left points at the free throw line, hitting 16 of 40 for the game. For Schlagle, Suttington led the way with 30 points, and Camille Evans scored 13.

Sumner ends the conference season undefeated at 10-0 to win the conference crown. The Lady Sabres’ overall season record is 12-5. Schlagle ends the season 8-2 in conference, both losses to the Lady Sabres. Both teams will participate in KSHSAA post-season play next weekend, and final brackets and schedules will be announced soon.

by Brian Turrel

The upstart Wyandotte Bulldogs clinched the Kansas City – Atchison League championship with a 79-75 win at Schlagle High School on Wednesday night.

Postponed from Tuesday evening, and ahead of an expected winter storm, the game was nevertheless well attended, with a large contingent of red-clad Bulldog fans.

Wyandotte jumped out to an 8-point lead midway through the first quarter with a 9-0 run. Their high-velocity passes let them find an open man with an open path to the basket.

Schlagle head coach Prentes Potts called an early timeout to slow the Bulldogs’ momentum. The Stallions narrowed the lead through the second quarter, and went to the halftime break down 31-28.

The pace of the game heated up in the second half, with both teams feeding off the intensity of the situation and the crowd.

Schlagle took the lead midway through the third quarter on a pair of breakaways by Ronnell Mitchell and D’Monte Gaw. Wyandotte got a pair of three-point baskets by Walzel Evans to regain the lead as the game moved into the fourth quarter.

The pace quickened even more in the fourth quarter, with rapid action up and down the court. Gaw and Mitchell repeatedly drove to the basket, combining for 26 Schlagle points in the quarter. Evans and teammate Diamond Hines fed each other on breakaway layups for the Bulldogs.

The game came down to the final possessions. Wyandotte’s Joseph Moye made two free throws with 18 seconds remaining to keep a two-possession advantage and prevent a Schlagle comeback.

Hines led the Bulldogs’ scoring with 32 points, followed by Evans with 25. Ronnell Mitchell had 22 for the Stallions, and D’Monte Gaw added 20.

The win gives Wyandotte a perfect 10-0 league record, after winning only 3 KCAL games last season. Schlagle, whose only two league losses were to Wyandotte, will finish in second place. The Stallions will play host to the Sumner Academy Sabres on Friday night to close out their regular season.

Both Wyandotte and Schlagle are expected to see postseason action in the KSHSAA 5A playoffs. Playoff seedings and schedules will be announced on Saturday, Feb. 25.