Tonganoxie couldn’t hold onto a big lead in its season-opener, but the Chieftains responded in their second game portraying the early underdog Thursday in the Ike Cearfoss Invitational near Richmond.

Although the Chieftains had a 16-13 lead after the first quarter, Osawatomie erupted in the second quarter and held a 13-point lead at the half.

But Osawatomie’s momentum didn’t last in the second half. OHS held a 20-4 advantage in the second quarter, but two 20-point quarters in the second half helped the Chieftains to their first victory of the season.

“We didn’t take care of the basketball early,” THS coach David Walker said.

That changed in the second half, and Walker began applauding his team’s performance.

When the game ended, Tonganoxie had two players in double figures — Kirk Rodell with a game-high 20 points and Shane Howard with 13.

In the tournament opener, the Chieftains appeared to be in a commanding position for a win, but the ball just wasn’t falling.

“That just happened to be two different game scenarios,” Walker said. “In the first game I thought we had really good shot selection.”

With Thursday’s win, the Chieftains were slated to play for fifth place against St. Mary’s at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, but a snow storm prevented the Bears from making the trip.

THS athletics director Brandon Parker said the game likely would be made up in January or February, and played in Tonganoxie.

As for the tournament itself, Walker appreciated seeing some different competition.

“We ran into some teams that do a lot of pressing, which is good,” Walker said.

That should be the case again this week with the start of play in the Kaw Valley League.

Tonganoxie played Basehor-Linwood on Tuesday and will take on Mill Valley — a team known to press frequently — at home on Friday.

Osawatomie 13 20 14 10 — 57

Tonganoxie 16 4 20 20 — 60

Osawatomie (0-2) — Alexander 6, Welch 2, French 13, Folsom 13, Clark 6, Jones 8, Freeman 9.

Tonganoxie (1-1) — Baska 5, Howard 13, Sparks 7, Rodell 20, McCarty 9, Morris 2, Brest 4.