×
×
homepage logo

Overtime dandy ends in THS loss

By Shawn Linenberger - | Jan 15, 2003

As the game buzzer blared a final time Friday in the Tonganoxie High gymnasium, the gallons of adrenaline the Chieftain boys had relied on had finally run dry.

In a rematch of last year’s substate semifinal game, Tonganoxie and Lansing battled through four quarters and an overtime period with 10 ties and 11 lead changes.

The visitors from Lansing, though, eventually left a raucous THS gym with a 74-72 Kaw Valley League overtime win.

“I’m speechless right now,” a disappointed Jacob Walker said after the game.

The senior scored a career-high 20 points and banked in a three-point shot as time expired in regulation, sending the Chieftains into overtime for a second consecutive game.

Friday’s contest was a tussle for the two longtime rivals. Neither team had a lead bigger than eight in a game that saw four technical fouls. THS coach David Walker was slapped with one after arguing with an official about a technical foul called on junior Justin Walker just before halftime. While going up for a rebound, Justin Walker had a momentary handle on the rim and the official called the technical for holding on too long.

Lansing coach Don Allen was slapped with a T in the second half for arguing with an official, while Tonganoxie received the final technical in the game’s closing moments. While players fought for a loose ball, Jacob Walker grabbed the basketball and called time out, but the Chieftains already had used theirs up.

Tonganoxie’s back-to-back technicals seemed to inspire the Chieftains. Lansing’s David Jackson shot all four fouls, but came up empty, adding fuel to an already vibrant crowd.

Instead of padding its lead, Lansing went into halftime with a slender 37-36 lead.

“If we don’t play up to our capability and Lansing plays to theirs, it’s not a ball game,” THS coach David Walker said.

The Chieftains continued to scrap into the overtime. After forcing a Lansing turnover near midcourt in the final minute, the Chieftains had a chance to win, but on the inbounds pass, Tonganoxie had a backcourt violation. After being fouled, Brian Kern sank one free throw, helping LHS to a 74-72 lead. One last Tonganoxie effort fell short, and the Chieftains dropped to 3-4 overall and 2-2 in the KVL. Lansing is now 5-1 and 4-1.

The Chieftains had a fairly balanced attack against the Lions. Junior Shane Howard and senior Chad Turner each had 12 points, while juniors Luke McCarty and Justin Walker each had 8 points. Junior Billy Baska chipped in five points, but was more valuable to the Chieftains on defense.

“Billy Baska loves defense whether he admits it or not,” David Walker said.

Lansing standout Hosea Morgan led the team with 21, while Jackson and Kern each had 13.

Tonganoxie’s next game comes a week after the Lansing loss against new KVL member Bonner Springs on Friday in Tonganoxie.

David Walker welcomes that full week of rest before playing the Braves and then starting the Tonganoxie Invitational on Monday.

“This gives us time to let it soak in and then focus again,” Walker said.

Tonganoxie 60, De Soto 51 (OT)

Tonganoxie avoided a loss to last-place De Soto on Jan. 7.

After falling behind 15-6 in the first quarter, Tonganoxie responded by winning each of the next four periods. Brothers Jacob and Justin Walker had 17 and 10 points respectively. Danny Brown led the Wildcats with 23 points.

Box scores

Tonganoxie (3-3, 2-1) 6 13 15 13 14 — 60
De Soto (1-6, 1-6) 15 9 13 9 5 — 51

Tonganoxie — Howard 7, Turner 2, Gripka 7, Justin Walker 10, Jacob Walker 17, Baska 5, McCarty 4, Reischman 4, Calovich 2.
De Soto — Arnold 2, Noe 5, Danny Brown 23, Power 2, Ryan Brown 9, Crall 10.

Lansing (5-1, 4-1) 17 20 13 15 9 — 74
Tonganoxie (3-4, 2-2) 23 13 11 18 7 — 72