By JEREMY McGUIRE
Hays Post

Girls: TMP 47, Hill City 36
Boys: Hill City 59, TMP 53

HILL CITY, Kan.-The TMP Lady Monarchs trailed only once at 2-0 early against Hill City in a battle between state ranked teams on Friday.  TMP scored the next eight points and never trailed again.  The Lady Monarch defense was outstanding all night long making it difficult for the dangerous Hill City shooters to get an open look.

TMP took a 26-15 lead into the locker room.  Hill City started the second half on a quick 4-0 run but TMP answered with a 6-0 run to push the lead back to double figures.  The Lady Monarchs turned the ball over five times in the third quarter but continued to hassle Hill City on the defensive end and led 36-26 after three quarters.

Hill City didn’t pose much of a problem in the fourth quarter and TMP picked up the 47-36 win.  Ellie Keener and Shaylin Russell led Hill City with 9 points as the Lady Ringnecks dropped to 1-1 on the season.  Kayla Vitztum led TMP with 19 points and Katelyn Zimmeran had 10 for the 3-1 Lady Monarchs who will play in Victoria on Tuesday.

ROSE MCFARLAND INTERVIEW

GAME HIGHLIGHTS

 

In the boys game TMP struggled to get anything going offensively in the first half against Hill City.  The Monarchs trailed 31-18 at the half thanks in part to 15 first half points from Zech Wilson.  Michael Lager led TMP at the break with 5.

Hill City kept TMP at arms length through the third quarter and took a 38-30 lead to the fourth quarter and that’s when things got interesting.  The Monarchs scored the first four points of the fourth quarter to close the Hill City lead to four.  The Ringnecks would answer with a 10-0 run to regain control and were never really challenged the rest of the way, winning 59-53.

Zech Wilson dazzled for Hill City scoring 32 points.  Everett Brandyberry added 15 for the Ringnecks.  Junior Creighton Renz was the only Monarch in double figures.  He scored 11.  Hill now improves to 2-0 on the season and will travel to Oberlin-Decatur Community.   TMP drops to 1-3 and will be in Victoria on Tuesday.

JOE HERTEL INTERVIEW

GAME HIGHLIGHTS