In three meetings this season, the Chieftains have claimed two games, one of which came during the Tonganoxie Invitational.

The second occurred Friday in Tonganoxie. The tournament game arguably was the team’s best performance this season.

But Friday topped that.

The Chieftains led 15-13 after the first quarter. Lansing responded, but the Lions only would enjoy the lead three times after the first quarter. Tonganoxie outscored Lansing in every quarter and claimed a 65-50 victory against its archrival. THS also extended its winning streak to four with the victory. Tonganoxie now is 9-9 on the season.

“We put a complete game together, 32 minutes of basketball,” THS coach David Walker said. “Players were looking for each other.

“I thought the defense was fantastic.”

Lansing trailed by six at the half, but had to play much of the third quarter without sophomore standout Jeff Slater. A scoring leader, Slater was whistled for his third foul just after halftime.

The sophomore returned in the fourth, but the Chieftains engineered an 11-2 run even with Slater in the lineup. The forward finished with 10 points.

Walker said Slater’s foul trouble didn’t help Lansing’s cause, especially when he picked up his fourth foul midway through the fourth.

“I think it’s big anytime your leader gets frustrated,” Walker said. “I think that’s true for any team.

“He’s a great player and will come back and do well the next round.”

Kirk Rodell scored a game-high 18 for Tonganoxie, while Shane Howard and Levi Huseman also scored in double figures with 14 and 11 respectively.

Tonganoxie had no trouble getting the ball in the hoop, as five players scored eight or more points, but Huseman said the other side of the ball has been key during the winning streak.

“I think it’s our defense,” the junior said.

An improved defense and more complete third quarters, Huseman said, have been keys lately.

Tonganoxie traveled Tuesday to Leavenworth and will finish the regular season Friday at home against Bonner Springs.

If the Chieftains win out, they should solidify the No. 4 spot in substate. If that occurs, Tonganoxie likely will play Eudora in the first round early next week. The tournament, which will be played in Lansing, could pit the Chieftains against host Lions for the fourth time this year. The Chieftains haven’t defeated Lansing on its home court yet during Walker’s three-year tenure as head coach.

BOX SCORES

Feb. 17
Tonganoxie 60, Perry-Lecompton 48

Perry-Lecompton 11 14 12 11 — 48
Tonganoxie 15 10 17 18 — 60

Perry-Lecompton — Ryan Guffey 14, Spencer Kennedy 10, Willie Treaster 10, Luke Tyner 7, Drew Robbins 4, Drew Tucker 3.
Tonganoxie — Kirk Rodell 19, Shane Howard 10, Derek Sparks 9, Sam Mitchell 8, Justin Walker 8, Mike Morris 4, Levi Huseman 2.

Thursday
Tonganoxie 51, Saint Mary’s 46

Saint Mary’s 16 10 10 10 — 46
Tonganoxie 11 13 11 16 — 51

Saint Mary’s — Vandervelde 16, Core 6, Kinderknecht 5, Brunin 11, Vertles 8.
Tonganoxie — Billy Baska 2, Shane Howard 15, Kirk Rodell 9, Sam Mitchell 10, Levi Huseman 7, Justin Walker 2, Mike Morris 6.

Friday
Tonganoxie 65, Lansing 50

Lansing 13 13 11 13 — 50
Tonganoxie 15 17 14 19 — 65

Lansing — Mohan 4, Wagner 7, D. Kern 6, B. Kern 3, Warner 13, Slater 10, Saunders 1, Morehead 6.
Tonganoxie — Shane Howard 14, Kirk Rodell 18, Sam Mitchell 8, Levi Husman 11, Justin Walker 9, Luke McCarty 3, Mike Morris 2.