The Chieftains committed turnover after turnover earlier in the season in a loss against Mill Valley in Shawnee.

With the return trip, on Senior Night at THS, the result was pretty similar.

Mill Valley forced 29 turnovers on the Jaguars’ way to a 71-40 victory.

Tonganoxie fell behind early as Mill Valley raced to a 20-8 lead after the first quarter.

The Chieftains, however, found a spark in the second period.

Thanks to better defense and more effective passing on the offensive end, the hometown Chieftains went on an 8-0 run, a spurt that brought the THS crowd to its feet.

The rally prompted Mill Valley coach Justin Bogart to call a timeout as Tonganoxie suddenly found itself in a ball game — the Chieftains trailed by six at 24-18.

MVHS players, however, responded to their coach’s timeout.

The Jaguars connected on a three-pointer and stretched their lead back to nine. That fueled an 11-2 run right before halftime.

Identical to the first quarter, Mill Valley outscored THS, 20-8, in the third. As in the second, Tonganoxie outscored Mill Valley again in the fourth, but the damage already had been done.

Mill Valley received some help from the free-throw line. The Jaguars 13-for-15 from the line, while Tonganoxie only went 12-for-21.

Friday’s game had its share of fireworks.

Tempers flared during the second half and at one point, referees spoke to Tonganoxie’s Sam Mitchell and a Mill Valley player about their behavior. As another Chieftain came in to replace Mitchell, Mitchell walked off the court.

The THS senior headed toward the bench, brushing arms with a Mill Valley player, who was ready to in-bounds the ball on the next play.

Mitchell, however, was not whistled for a technical despite another run-in with the Mill Valley player.

As for the game itself, sophomore Jeff Hughes continued his late-season scoring surge. Hughes led Tonganoxie scorers with 12.

Daniel Workman scored eight for the Chieftains.

Mill Valley’s Jack Johnson scored a game-high 16. Johnson was the only Jaguar in double-figures.

Mill Valley improved to 13-5 overall and 9-3 in the Kaw Valley League as MVHS stayed close to the top of the league standings.

Tonganoxie fell to 4-13 overall and 1-8 in the KVL.

BOX SCORE

Mill Valley 71, Tonganoxie 40
Mill Valley 20 15 20 16 — 71
Tonganoxie 8 12 8 12 — 40

Mill Valley — Johnson 16, Scott 8, Eli 8, White 2, Woods 9, Koch 5, DeBerg 8, Gracy 6, Fitzgerald 5, Meddaugh 4.
Tonganoxie — Rodell 4, Mitchell 3, Huseman 4, Morris 4, Workman 8, Pistora 2, Korb 1, Hughes 12, Herron 2.