By JEREMY McGUIRE
Hays Post
Girls: TMP 55, Smith Center 41
HAYS, Kan.-Defense was the name of the game for the TMP Lady Monarchs as they forced Smith Center into 12 first half turnovers and held the Lady Red to just two first half field goals in a 55-41 victory. 12 of Smith Center’s first half points came from the free throw line. TMP led 32-16 thanks to 13 points in the first half from Kayla Vitztum and 6 points from Savannah Yost and 5 points from Jillian Lowe.
Smith Center closed the gap to 15 points by the end of the third quarter and they came out firing in the fourth quarter. The Lady Red scored the first six points of the fourth quarter to make it a single digit game at 41-32. TMP would score the next five points to build the lead back to double digits and would not see the lead dip again.
Vitztum finished with a game high 18 points. Kendra Maydew led Smith Center with 13 points. Smith Center drops to 8-1 on the year and 4-1 in the Mid Continent League. TMP improves to 9-1 on the year and 5-0 in the league. Both teams are off until Monday when they will host opening round games of the MCL Tournament.
ROSE MCFARLAND INTERVIEW
GAME HIGHLIGHTS
Boys: TMP 75, Smith Center 42
HAYS, Kan.-Foul trouble plagued TMP as David McFarland and Creighton Renz picked up two first quarter fouls and Smith Center took advantage as they raced to a six point lead in the first quarter. TMP would close the gap to three points, 18-15, after the first quarter. TMP would turn the tables in the second quarter as they would regain the lead and push it to nine at the end of the first half, 33-24 thanks to a 12-2 run to end the first half.
Colby Benoit paced Smith Center with 11 first half points, Jesse Staples had 9. David McFarland led a balanced TMP attack with 9 points in the opening half.
TMP extended their lead to 19 points after three quarters of play and slammed the door shut in the fourth quarter outscoring the Redmen 24-10 in the 75-42 victory. Benoit and Jesse Staples led the way for the Redmen (2-7, 1-4) with 13 points each. Michael Lager led TMP (8-2, 5-0) with 16 points. Smith Center will open up MCL Tournament play on Saturday against Trego. TMP will play the winner of Stockton and Hill City on Tuesday.
JOE HERTEL INTERVIEW
GAME HIGHLIGHTS