It was a discouraging night for the Chieftains, who committed 28 turnovers as a result of the Jaguars patented and relentless full-court pressure. Tonganoxie (2-4 overall and 0-2 in the Kaw Valley League) fell to Mill Valley in its first game since the break, 55-32.

Early on, neither team looked to be in mid-season form. The first goal came with just more than four minutes left in the first quarter. In that opening period, Tonganoxie went 2-for-9, while Mill Valley was just 1-for-11 from the field. Tonganoxie actually held a 9-5 lead at one point, but the Jaguars would find their touch midway through the second quarter.

Although it wasn’t the best shooting night for the Jaguars (32 percent from the field), they more than compensated for their lack of offensive efficiency with a stiff defensive effort.

Tonganoxie, meanwhile, had a spark early in the second quarter, but never could find a rhythm after that.

The Jaguars were again led by their court-leader David Woods, who tallied a game-high 14 points.

Daniel Workman led the Chieftains in scoring with nine, while Jeff Hughes had six.

Tonganoxie played Tuesday at home against Immaculata, the top-ranked team in Class 2A. The Chieftains again will be at home Friday against Basehor-Linwood before starting the Tonganoxie Invitational on Monday.

Tonganoxie girls celebrate first win of 2005

Tonganoxie picked up where it left off before the break — with a win.

Tonganoxie held a narrow 23-19 halftime lead against Mill Valley Friday in Shawnee, but the Chieftains pulled away in the second half for a 56-37 victory. Tonganoxie improved to 4-2 overall and 2-0 in the Kaw Valley League with the victory.

The Jags have fallen on hard times recently, especially

in the second half of games when they have often lost their defensive focus. As a result, they’ve seen their opponents run away with games.

It was no different against Tonganoxie, a talented and

well-rounded team that was able to exploit the Jaguars by penetrating and kicking the ball out to their guards who, more often than not, sank their open jump-shots.

Although the Jaguars were only down by four coming out of halftime, the Chieftains immediately took control in the second half, forcing the Jaguars to play sloppily and turn the ball over, and in turn, found their offensive rhythm.

Tonganoxie played Tuesday against Immaculata in Leavenworth. THS will be at home Friday against Basehor-Linwood.

And, at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Tonganoxie will face Atchison in the first round of the Tonganoxie Invitational.