The Chieftains, after all, finished fourth. They advanced through the winner’s bracket, and they were only a few points from advancing to the championship game.

But, Webb isn’t satisfied with a 1-2 record or the way the team played last Wednesday and Thursday.

“We’ve got a lot of work to do,” Webb said last Friday.

Against Eudora, Tonganoxie led 3-0 early in the game and trailed 7-8 after one quarter.

Eudora gradually widened the lead to six points at the half and seven after three quarters.

The deficit was too much for the Chieftains to overcome, and the Cardinals won, 44-35.

Although the team hustled, Eudora beat them down the court several times for easy layups. And when the Cardinals didn’t beat the Chieftains down they court, they were patient in their half-court offense, passing the ball and looking for a good shot.

In the second quarter, Brett Becker made a three point shot, closing the gap to six points. As the Cardinals pushed the ball down the court, Becker stole it and drove to the basket, but he lost the ball without putting up a shot.

Becker wasn’t the only Chieftain to miss an opportunity, and Tonganoxie, ultimately, was unable to overcome those blown chances.

“We just didn’t seem to be in sync tonight,” Webb said.

Chad Eshbaugh, Eudora coach, praised Tonganoxie’s effort.

“That’s a hardworking Tonganoxie team,” Eshbaugh said after the game.

The Gardner-Edgerton game was more of the same. Tonganoxie didn’t play well on either side of the ball. Webb said the team didn’t get into the offense until the third quarter.

The team’s confusion on defense meant Gardner-Edgerton shot open three-pointers. The final score: Gardner-Edgerton 64, Tonganoxie 40. Webb said he expected the team to improve as the coaches and players continue to adjust to one another. And, despite the losses, the team has a list of positives to work with.

“We’re going to build off those things this week,” he said.

The team played Piper Tuesday night.

Up next

The Chieftains play at Immaculata Friday night in a Kaw Valley League showdown. The junior varsity plays at 5:30 p.m. and the varsity plays at 8:30 p.m.

The junior varsity also plays at 6:30 p.m. Monday at Turner.

The freshmen boys play at 6 p.m. Thursday at Basehor, 9 a.m. Saturday at the Paola freshmen tournament and 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Eudora.