By JEREMY McGUIRE
Hays Post

Girls:  TMP 62, Hill City 54

TMP flew out of the gates against Hill City in the championship game of the Mid Continent League tournament.  The Lady Monarchs built an 18-2 lead before the Lady Ringnecks called their first timeout and the feeling in the gym was that the rout could be on.  The Lady Monarchs led 26-7 after the first quarter and built the lead to 30-10 early in the second quarter and that’s when Hill City’s comeback began.

The Lady Ringnecks would cut the TMP lead to 13 at halftime, 38-25.  Both teams would trade punches throughout the third quarter with the Lady Monarchs maintaining a 53-41 advantage.  Hill City would continue to battle in the fourth cutting the lead to three a couple of times.  TMP was able to close out the game from the free throw line to pick up the MCL tournament title.

Madyson Koerner scored a season high 21 points to lead the Lady Monarchs.  Conner Keith led Hill City with 23. TMP has now won 11 games in a row and have a record of 11 and one.  Hill City’s seven game winning streak was snapped with the loss.

ROSE MCFARLAND INTERVIEW

GIRLS HIGHLIGHTS

Boys:  TMP 80, Norton 48

If TMP’s 66-40 win over Stockton in the semi-finals of the Mid Continent League tournament didn’t raise any eyebrows their 32-point dismantling of Norton in the championship game most certainly did.  TMP came out of the game on fire building a quick seven to nothing lead in the first minute of the game.  They led by as many as nine in the first quarter before Norton was able to make a charge to get back to within three, 21-18, at the end of the quarter.

It was a back and fourth second quarter with both teams trading jabs at each other.  TMP landed the biggest punch at the end of the half, going on an a 15 to five run to take a 43-32 lead into the locker room at the halftime break.  The momentum continued into the second half as TMP quickly built their lead to 20 early on in the third quarter.  The Monarchs poured it on to the finish.  TMP led by as many as 34 points in the fourth quarter.

Deon Lyle led Norton with 29 points to lead the Bluejays but was the only in double figures for Norton.  Kameron Schmidt led four Monarchs in double figures with 24.  Jared Vitztum added 18, Peyton Hoffman 11 and Max Megaffin 10.  TMP has now won seven straight games.

JOE HERTEL INTERVIEW

BOYS HIGHLIGHTS