By JEREMY McGUIRE
Hays Post

Wichita-Trinity 63, TMP 57

A tough fourth quarter stretch proved costly for the TMP Monarchs in their 63-57 loss to Wichita-Trinity Academy in the opening round of the 4A-Division II State Basketball Tournament in Park City.  Trailing 47-43 at the start of the fourth quarter the Monarch offense went cold.  They went five minutes and 21 seconds without scoring as they watched Trinity build their lead to double figures and TMP could not recover.  Max Megaffin hit a late three to pinch the lead to four points but it was to little to late for TMP’s season.

The second half was as stark contrast to the first half.  Both teams held leads and made runs to counter each other.  TMP held a 10-5 advantage early and the Knights countered with an 11-nothing run to go up by six.  TMP was able to close it to two points at the end of the first quarter.  The second quarter was much of the same.  TMP trailed and fought back but trailed by two, 33-31 at the break.

Kameron Schmidt scored a team high 16 points, 14 of those came in the first half.  Jared Vitztum was the only other Monarch in double figures with 14.  TMP ends their season with a 16-7 record.

JOE HERTEL INTERVIEW

HIGHLIGHTS