By JEREMY McGUIRE
Girls: TMP 63, Smith Center 29
TMP wasted little time on Friday night showing Smith Center who was boss in their 63-29 win over the Lady Red at Al Billinger Fieldhouse in Hays. The Lady Monarchs jumped out to a quick seven point lead, 11-4. Smith Center would cut the lead to four and would never get any closer. TMP led 19-10 after the first quarter and 41-18 at halftime. TMP forced 14 first half turnovers while only commitining one of their own.
The second half was pretty much the same song, different verse. The Lady Monarchs extended their lead to 31 points by the end of the third quarter and had a running clock the entire fourth quarter. Melissa Pfeifer led TMP with 18 points. Sierra Kuhn had 12 to lead the Lady Red.
Smith Center drops to 4-5 overall and 2-2 in the Mid Continent League. They will play at Stockton in the opening round of the MCL Tournament on Monday. TMP improves to 7-2 and 4-1 in league. They will host either Plainville or Ellis on Monday to open up the MCL Tournament.
ROSE MCFARLAND INTERVIEW
GAME HIGHLIGHTS
Boys: TMP 80, Smith Center 54
Joe Hertel’s TMP Monarchs broke open a close game at the half and cruised to a 80-54 win over Smith Center in Hays on Friday night. The Monarchs saw Smith Center close what was a double digit gap for most of the first half to only six points at halftime. Sophomore Jess Staples nailed a three-pointer and was fouled with just under four seconds remaining in the first half. He was able to convert the free throw to cut the TMP lead to 33-27 at the break.
Smith Center scored the first basket of the second half and that is when TMP took control of the game. The Monarchs were able to extend the lead to 58-43 after three quarters en-route to the 26 point victory. The win was the seventh consecutive for the Monarchs.
TMP was without the services of point guard Peyton Hoffman for most of the game as he sat with foul trouble, eventually fouling out midway through the fourth quarter. Jared Vitztum scored 25 to lead TMP. Chase Romme wasn’t far behind with 16 points of his own. Brett Meyer paced Smith Center with 11.
TMP is now 7-2 overall and 5-0 in the Mid Continent League. Smith Center fall to 3-6 overall and 1-3 in the MCL. The Redmen will play Oakley on Saturday in the play in game of the MCL Tournament. If the win that they get the pleasure of returning to Hays to face TMP on Tuesday night.
JOE HERTEL INTERVIEW
GAME HIGHLIGHTS