The defending Kaw Valley League champion Braves showed why they’re still very much the team to beat, jumping out to a 16-6 lead and burying Tonganoxie, 72-36, in a game that never was close.

Behind six Tonganoxie turnovers and a nasty full-court press, Bonner Springs built a 25-9 first-quarter lead.

THS coach David Walker, though, said the press wasn’t a deciding factor in the game.

“They pressed, but that didn’t matter,” Walker said. “They out-rebounded us 45-24. You can’t allow that to happen.”

The 16-point lead ballooned to 21 on the second-possession of the second quarter, and settled at 39-16 at the break.

Midway through the third quarter Bonner Springs coach Andy Price’s club built a 34-point lead. The lead topped out at 38 in the waning moments of the fourth quarter, and settled at 36 when the final horn sounded.

Tonganoxie’s other downfall came in the turnover department — the Chieftains had 22 miscues. Junior Jeff Hughes led the Chieftains in scoring, as he tallied 14 points, many coming off easy lay-ups when the Chieftains broke the Bonner Springs press. Junior Jordan Herron added seven points, and Bryan Morris and Gabe Belabrajdic chipped in four a piece.

Despite the score, Walker said his team improved in the game against Bonner Springs. He said the squad is making strides defensively, but missed some easy shots against the Braves.

“We played much better,” Walker said. “You have to give Bonner Springs credit. They’re a very good basketball team.”

The loss dropped the Chieftains to 0-1 in the Kaw Valley League and 0-4 overall. Bonner Springs now is 1-1 in the KVL and 3-3 overall.

Tonganoxie played a final game before the winter break Tuesday at home against De Soto.

Reports from that game can be found in the Dec. 28 edition of The Mirror.

Bonner Springs 72, Tonganoxie 36

Score by quarters
Tonganoxie 9 7 13 7 — 36
Bonner Springs 25 14 24 9 — 72

Individual scoring
Tonganoxie — Hughes 14, Herron 7, Belabrajic 4, Morris 4, Shaw 2, Miles 2, Kissinger 2, Pistora 1
Bonner Springs — White 18, Placher 13, Hills 12, Brown 7, Eaguclin 5, Lee 5, Garlington 4, McComb 3, McClain 2, Callahan 1.

By the numbers
Free throws: THS 6-11, BSHS 14-27; three-pointers: THS 0-4, BSHS 6-12; field goals: THS 15-41 (36.6 percent), BSHS 26-62 (41.9 percent); points off bench: BSHS 17, THS 9.