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Boys fall short at home tournament

By Shawn Linenberger - | Jan 25, 2006

Tonganoxie and Jeff West entered their first-round tournament game on different ends of the spectrum.

THS was searching for its first win, while Jeff West hoped to stay undefeated.

When the teams met Jan. 17, the gap between their records seemed minimal.

Tonganoxie came out matching every Jeff West score. The Chieftains trailed just 10-8 after the first quarter and were down 19-13 at the half.

In the second half, THS again hustled for loose balls and knocked down outside shots. The Chieftains trailed by just five, 33-28, to the No. 7 team in Class 4A heading into the fourth quarter.

In the final period, Jeff West started to pull away and the upset bid was unsuccessful. The Tigers won, 51-41, and kept THS from winning its first game.

THS actually had a better field goal percentage than Jeff West. THS shot 40 percent (16-for-40), while Jeff West shot 27.5 percent (14-for-51). The Tigers overcame the subpar field-goal shooting with free throws. Jeff West went to the line 34 times, compared to Tonganoxie’s 12. The Tigers made 22 free throws, compared to Tonganoxie’s 7.

Zeb Kissinger topped the scoring with 11, while Jordan Herron had 9 and Tyler Miles 8.

THS guard Zack Pistora was called for a flagrant foul. In addition, Tonganoxie was whistled for a technical foul because Jake Krause’s name was not listed in the scorer’s book.

Immaculata 54, THS 42

Tonganoxie lost to Immaculata earlier in the season and had the lead on the Raiders through three quarters during Thursday’s consolation semifinals.

It was a dismal fourth quarter that ruined Tonganoxie’s shot at a victory. Immaculata outscored THS, 20-6, in the fourth on its way to a 54-42 win Thursday in the consolation semifinals.

THS led, 36-34, at the end of three periods. Pistora, a senior, was Tonganoxie’s top scorer. He finished with 14, while Tyler Miles also finished in double figures with 10.

“We’re playing some of our best basketball,” Pistora said. “They just made some shots at the end.”

IHS had just one player score in double figures, but he was a big-time scorer. David Beck scored 33 points in the victory for the Raiders.

Lansing 56, Tonganoxie 44

Tonganoxie has two regular-season meetings with Lansing each year, but it’s becoming common practice that the rivals meet in the Tonganoxie Invitational.

The two teams squared off Saturday for the seventh-place game, which was played in the junior high gymnasium.

In a game in which both teams struggled to take control, players also did their best to stay in the contest.

At the end of the third quarter, seven players between the two teams had at least four fouls each.

That can make it difficult to get a rhythm going, but Lansing did gain momentum in the third quarter.

The Lions outscored the Chieftains, 17-6, in that quarter. In the first half, there were three lead changes and five ties, but Lansing pulled away in the second half for the 12-point victory.

The loss improved LHS to 4-7, while Tonganoxie dropped to 0-12.

“I thought the first half was a huge team effort,” THS coach David Walker said. “Chris Newton gave us great fundamental minutes. Michael Shaw gave us some great minutes.”

For the first time this season, THS had three players in double figures — Jordan Herron with 11 and Zeb Kissinger and Tyler Miles each with 10.

“I think we find ways to compete,” Walker said. “We just have to find how to win.”

Tonganoxie will be back in action Friday with a home game against Bonner Springs. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m.