BOYS:  TMP 62, St. John’s Military 48

The Monarch boys’ basketball team lost three of their last four games of the regular season but picked up a win at the right time Monday night against St. John’s Military Academy. Thomas More Prep – Marian defeated the Muleskinners 62-48 at Al Billinger Fieldhouse in the opening round of the Class 3A Lyons Sub-State.

TMP (12-9) trailed a few times in the first quarter but would eventually take a 29-20 lead into halftime. St. John’s Military (10-9) would cut the Monarch’s lead down to five early on in the third quarter, but TMP would finish the period on an 11-6 run to build their lead back up to 10 going into the fourth quarter.

The Monarchs, who shot 43% from the field, led by as many as 20 in the final quarter before going on to win by 14. TMP dished out 17 assists on their 26 made field goals in the game. Senior Drew O’Brien ended with nine of those 17 assists.

Seniors Taylor Pfeifer and Jacob Fouts led the scoring attack with 13 points apiece while junior Kade Megaffin added a season-high 10 points.

TMP won their first postseason game since 2009 and will move on to play Hoisington this Thursday night in the semifinals in Lyons. The Cardinals, who earned the #1 seed, defeated Russell 59-28 in their first-round match-up. Hoisington defeated TMP twice in the regular season, 45-35 and 53-48.

Joe Hertel’s Post-game Interview:
Hertel Postgame 2-27

Highlights:
HL2-27-12