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.
