By JEREMY McGUIRE

Girls:  TMP 69, Hutch-Trinity 37

TMP never trailed and cruised to their 16th consecutive victory on Thursday night in Hutchinson.  The Lady Monarchs stretched their lead to 11 at the end of the first quarter.  They started to put the game out of reach in the second quarter when the lead expanded to 21, 35-14 at halftime.  Both teams played pretty even in the third quarter and TMP left no doubt by outscoring Trinity 19-9 in the fourth quarter winning 69-37.

Madyson Koerner led TMP with 24 points.  The Lady Monarchs improve to 18-2 on the season and will host Ellsworth in the first round of Class 3A Sub-State play on Tuesday in Hays.

ROSE MCFARLAND INTERVIEW

(Listen to highlights following boys’ story)

Boys:  TMP 68, Hutch-Trinity 61 OT

TMP needed overtime on Thursday night to take out a pesky Hutcinson-Trinity Celtics club in Hutchinson, 68-61.  It was a game that saw no lead greater than eight points either way.  TMP held a slim lead throughout most of the first half and led 29-28 at the half.

The two teams traded buckets back and forth in the third quarter with the Monarchs holding a 41-39 lead heading to the fourth quarter.  Trinity would score the first four points of the quarter to regain the lead at 43-41.  It was then a see-saw match-up the rest of the way.  TMP held a three point lead late but Dillon Walls nailed a three pointer from the left corner to tie the game and send it to overtime.

That’s when TMP took over the contest scoring the first seven points of the extra period and going on to pick up their 17th win of the season.  Jared Vitztum had one of his best games of the season scoring 32 points.  The Monarch senior went 12-12 from the foul line including a crucial 6-6 in overtime.  TMP will open up 3A Sub-State play on Monday at home against Minneapolis.

JOE HERTEL INTERVIEW

GIRLS AND BOYS GAME HIGHLIGHTS