By JEREMY McGUIRE
Hays Post
Girls: TMP 73, Plainville 66
A battle between two Mid Continent League schools ensued on Tuesday night with the TMP Lady Monarchs coming out on top 73-66 at Al Billinger Fieldhouse in Hays. It was back and forth early with both teams swapping first quarter leads before TMP took early control going up 25-15 after the first quarter. Plainville did not back down. The Lady Cardinals would outscore TMP 22-13 in the second quarter to pull within one point, 38-37, at halftime.
Most of the third quarter belonged to Plainville. The Lady Cardinals stormed out of the locker room and built a nine point lead late into the third quarter, 54-45. TMP would close the quarter on a five-nothing run, all from Madyson Koerner, to pull to within four at 54-50. Plainville scored the first basket of the fourth quarter and then the game was on.
TMP ripped off seven straight points to regain the lead at 57-56. The two teams would continue to battle back and forth, trading leads. TMP finally took control late and sealed the deal with a Melissa Pfeifer steal and layup followed by good execution from the free throw line.
TMP wrapped up the Mid Continent League regular season title with the win. They are now 16-3 on the season. Plainville finishes the regular season at 7-13. TMP will play one final regular season game at home on Thursday night against Hutchinson-Trinity.
MELISSA PFEIFER INTERVIEW
GIRLS HIGHLIGHTS
Boys: TMP 62, Plainville 58
It was a battle of two good teams in Hays on Tuesday night as the TMP Monarchs bested the Plainville Cardinals 62-58 at Al Billinger Fieldhouse. Former Monarch player and coach Chris Drees roamed the opposite sideline for the first time. Drees played under Joe Hertel and also was an assistant coach for eight years.
The two were able to put the emotions to the side as the game started and it was a knock down, drag out the whole way. TMP was able to build an early five point lead in the first quarter before Plainville was able to post a seven-nothing run to end the quarter to take an 11-9 lead. The Monarchs were able to pull away a little bit in the second quarter but Plainville didn’t go away. The Cardinals were able to mount a 13-4 run to end the half and went to the locker room with a 28-27 lead.
Much like the girls game, the Cardinals controlled most of the third quarter. They were able to build a six point lead late in the third. TMP had an answer. The Monarchs were able to end the third on an 8-2 run and tied the game at 45 going to the fourth quarter. TMP led most of the fourth quarter, building their lead as high as six points at 55-49. Plainville would answer back with four straight to get to within two but could never tie or take the lead down the stretch.
Jared Vitztum led TMP with 20. Brent Gehring added 18 to lead the Cardinals. With the Monarch win the Hill City’s loss in Norton TMP was able to garner the outright Mid Continent League regular season title to go with their MCL Tournament title. TMP is now 13-6 on the season and will finish out the regular season at home on Thursday against Hutchinson-Trinity. Plainville finishes the regular season at 9-11.
JOE HERTEL INTERVIEW
HIGHLIGHTS