By JEREMY McGUIRE
Hays Post

Girls: Abilene 38, TMP 34

ABILENE, Kan.-Two state ranked teams put on a strong showing on Friday night in Abilene as TMP travelled East to face the Cowgirls. TMP would make the first run of the game as they scored five straight to take an early 8-4 lead and would not trail again in the first half. The Lady Monarchs led 17-11 after the first quarter and built the lead to as many as nine points in the second quarter and settled for a 24-18 lead at the half.

Abilene came out strong in the third quarter and with Kayla Vitztum in foul trouble the Cowgirls outscored TMP 14-3 in the third quarter and led 32-27 at going to the final quarter. The Lady Monarchs were able to close the Abilene lead to two late in the fourth quarter but could not get back on top as they fell 38-34.

The loss snaps TMP’s 12 game losing streak as the Lady Monarchs to 12-2 on the season. TMP will have a week off when they will travel to Norton to take on the Lady Jays.

ROSE MCFARLAND INTERVIEW

Boys: Abilene 50, TMP 40

ABILENE, Kan.-TMP never lead in their 50-40 loss at Abilene on Friday night. The Monarchs trailed 10-6 after the first quarter and the Cowboys pushed the lead to to eight points at halftime, 26-18. David McFarland led TMP with seven first half points and Michael Lager added six.

The Monarchs came out in the second half and cut the Abilene lead to four midway through the third quarter but that would be as close as TMP would get. The Cowboys would extend their lead back to seven points by the end of the quarter. Abilene would extend their lead to 15 points midway through the first quarter. TMP would cut it to eight points a couple of times in the fourth quarter before Abilene finished with the 10 point victory.

Michael Lager scored 14 to lead the Monarchs TMP falls to 10-4 on the season after dropping their second straight game for for the first time since losing their first two games of the year. The Monarchs are off until February 2nd when they travel to Norton.

JOE HERTEL INTERVIEW