Tonganoxie used and 18-2 run to help it to a 55-43 victory against Bishop Ward.

“It was really nice to play with a lead in this game,” THS coach Shawn Phillips said. “We had a slight lead early, and we extended it in the second quarter. We moved the ball well and finished in the first half.”

THS led by just two, 12-10, after the first quarter, but a 17-7 second quarter made the difference for the visitors.

“Last time we played Ward, we struggled against their zone,” Phillips said. “We made a few adjustments this time around and handled it much better. We got high percentage looks and finished them much better.”

Tonganoxie doubled up the Cyclones, 34-17, for what would be the team’s largest lead of the game. The teams played even in the second half, but Tonganoxie was able to hold on for the double-digit victory.

“We probably could have extended the lead better in the second half,” Phillips said. “We didn’t do a good job of playing with a lead. We rushed a few shots and had some careless turnovers. That kept us from extending the lead. We haven’t been in that situation much this year, so it was a learning experience for our guys.”

Brady Swedo led the team with 14 points, while Carl Hecht and Devan Smith also were in double figures with 10 each. Greg DeVeau scored eight, Jared Sommers six, Tyler Novotney five and Dylan Staatz two.

THS, now 4-16, plays undefeated Basehor-Linwood (20-0) in a Class 4A Division-I sub-state semifinal game at 6 p.m. Thursday in Piper.

MVHS 60, THS 46

Senior Night didn’t go quite as planned for the hometown Chieftains.

Tonganoxie was within striking distance heading into the half, as Mill Valley had a 26-20 lead at the half.

“We did not do a good job of being ready to play,” THS coach Shawn Phillips said. “We started the game by instantly going down 11-2. It was still early in the game, but you never want to have to play trying to get out of a hole.”

Mill Valley outscored THS, 26-13, in the third quarter, nearly what would be the margin of victory. MVHS won, 60-46.

“The second half was a similar story,” Phillips said. “We didn’t match their intensity level. We struggled to get defensive stops, and that gave them a comfortable lead to work with in the fourth quarter.”

Devan Smith scored 11 points in the loss. Greg Deveau scored nine, Jared Sommers scored seven, and Carl Hecht six. Tyler Novotney and Brady Swedo each scored five. Kyle Burge had two and Dylan Staatz one.

“It is unfortunate that we didn’t win on senior night. All five of our seniors are guys who have been in the program for four years. You really want them to get a win on a night that is dedicated to them. “Despite losing, we still think a lot of these guys. We have struggled some this year, but these guys have still been a lot of fun to be around.