Category: Bonner Springs

by Brian Turrel

The Bonner Springs boys basketball team went home from Piper High School on Friday night with a 91-73 win and sole possession of first place in the league. Fans of both teams packed the gym and contributed to a festive game day atmosphere.

Piper’s perimeter defense was fast enough to limit Bonner’s usual dribble drive penetration, so Bonner went to work elsewhere, with Joshua Williams finding opportunities in the paint and Cole Oakes scoring from long range.

Bonner Springs held the lead from the start and built an 8-point advantage in the first quarter, with Trey Bates alone scoring Piper’s 12 first-quarter points. The Braves extended their lead to 15 at the half, aided by two three-pointers from Oakes.

Keyon Thomas got freed up in the third quarter, posting 12 points on a combination of inside and outside scoring. Down by 23 at the end of the third quarter, Piper made a run in the fourth quarter, but not enough to close the large gap.

Thomas and Williams led the Braves with 24 points each. Thomas was perfect on his 10 free throw attempts. Oakes added 14 points, including three three-pointers in the first half. Brothers Trey and Tamar Bates led the Pirates, older brother Trey with 21 points and Tamar with 19.

Bonner Springs improved its record to 8-0 in the Kaw Valley League, one game ahead of second place Basehor-Linwood. The Braves will play host to the Bishop Ward Cyclones at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. Piper drops to 6-3, good for third in the league. They will meet the Basehor-Linwood Bobcats at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Piper.

by Brian Turrel

The Piper girls basketball team defeated Bonner Springs on Friday night, 62-28, to remain unbeaten with a 17-0 season record. Piper used its familiar formula of backcourt trapping defense and strong inside offense to overcome the Lady Braves.

Bonner point guard Hallie Hoffine had more success breaking down the Pirates’ press than earlier in the year, and Bonner was able to get a few easy baskets by passing ahead quickly. However, Piper’s size, strength and speed gave them an advantage in any formation, and the final result was still an overpowering win.

Ryan Cobbins paced the Piper attack with 16 points. LaKya Leslie added 13, and Ali Vigil 11. All three played limited minutes as head coach Shane Stout substituted heavily in the second half. Kim Whetstone was the leading scorer for Bonner Springs with 9 points.

With a 9-0 record in the Kaw Valley League, Piper holds a 2 1/2 game lead. The Lady Pirates play host to the Basehor-Linwood Lady Bobcats on Tuesday. Bonner Springs drops to 3-5 in the league (5-11 overall) and is home against Bishop Ward on Tuesday. Both games will start at 5:45 p.m.