Pick a dunk: the Sumner Academy player leaping from mid lane to the rim for two points and a Tonganoxie foul in the first quarter, or the third quarter slam in the air off a missed jump shot.

It doesn’t matter which one you take. Bigger, faster, more athletic Sumner definitely had the physical advantage.

Coach Mike Webb had his Tonganoxie team prepared to play against a physically superior team. The game plan was evident after the Chieftains trailed by only 4-12 after the first quarter.

Sumner looked sloppy early but made up for its low first quarter total, pulling away for a 73-42 win.

“We just haven’t played at team that good all season,” Webb said.

The game was a homecoming for Webb, who worked as an assistant coach at Sumner before coming to Tonganoxie.

Numerous friends and acquaintances stopped to say hello to him before and after the game. Webb said in the week leading up to the game that he would use all of his knowledge as a former assistant to develop a plan to beat Sumner.

But his knowledge could not overcome poor shooting in the first and second quarters or superior Sumner athletic talent last week.

Scott Breuer and Scott Aligo got the Chieftains only two baskets in the first quarter. Breuer added six consecutive points in the second quarter, and Brett Becker finished out the first half scoring with a three point shot.

The third quarter was possibly one of the best and most exciting offensive quarters the Chieftains played all year.

Despite trailing by 24 early in the quarter, Tonganoxie attacked. Breuer hit consecutive threes. Becker got two free throws. Thomas Gilner hit a two pointer. Kyle Rodell hit a three. Breuer got another three, and a two.

“I’m really proud of that third quarter,” Webb told the team in the huddle before the fourth period began.

After the game he complimented the seniors for their second-half effort. Scott Aligo, Brett Becker and Neil Reiger played their final game for Tonganoxie.

Sumner advanced from the substate to the 4A state tournament being played this week in Salina.

Webb said this team had a lot to be proud of. It finished second at the Tonganoxie Tournament and fourth at the DeSoto Tournament.

One of the team’s goals was to finish at .500 or higher. The team finished 10-11.

The Santa Fe Trail game in Tonganoxie, which was decided by a shot with less than a second left, would have put the team over the top.