HALSTEAD — For one half, Hoisington's girls proved they could beat No. 1 ranked Halstead, the defending state champions, with a 40-25 lead.
For one half, the Halstead Dragons proved why they're the defending 3A state basketball champions by routing the Cardinals 33-4 for a 58-44 lead en route to a 63-48 Central Kansas League victory.
The Dragons (23-0, 8-0 CKL) have won 35 consecutive games since a 41-23 loss to Hesston Feb. 4, 2025.
The Cardinals converted five 3-pointers and made 14 of 26 first-half field goals for a 33-22 lead. The Cardinals extended their lead to 40-25 to start the third quarter.
When Halstead kicked up its defensive pressure, the Cardinals committed 15 turnovers. Halstead forced eight consecutive turnovers to turn a 15-point deficit into a 44-43 lead after three quarters.
Halstead finished a 27-1 scoring run for a 58-44 lead by converting 12 of 14 field goals while forcing 11 Cardinal turnovers. Onnyka Nedich made three consecutive 3-pointers and scored 11 points. At one point, the Dragons made 10 consecutive field goals.
Hoisington's Kelsi Maier (12) and Tianna Lutters (11) scored in double figures and Marley Bittel contributed a trio of 3-pointers. Halstead's Nedich scored 23 points. Both teams converted seven 3-pointers. Halstead outscored the Cardinals 41-15 after halftime.
The Cardinals (11-10, 3-5 CKL) play Colby (12-10) at home Friday in the 3A Larned basketball substate.
Hoisington 19 14 10 5 — 48
Halstead 11 11 22 19 — 63
HOISINGTON (11-10, 3-5)—Maier 4-8 (1-1) 3-4 12; Lutters 4-6 (3-5) 0-0 11; Bittel (3-6) 0-0 9; Beck 2-7 (0-1) 2-4 6; Hanzlick 1-7 (0-3) 2-2 4; Wilkens 3-5 0-2 6; Totals 17-40 (7-16) 7-12 48
HALSTEAD (23-0, 8-0)—Nedich 8-13 (4-7) 3-4 23; Jordy Schroeder 4-9 (1-4) 0-0 9; Piper Schoeder 3-8 (0-1) 0-1 6; Tess Williams 1-3 (1-2) 0-0 3; Wills 2-13 (0-4) 1-2 4; Bernal 3-7 (0-1) 3-4 9; Farmer 3-3 (1-1) 0-0 7; Totals 24-56 (7-20) 8-11 63
3A LARNED GIRLS
LARNED A (2-27)— 1—Holcomb 21-2 vs. 16—Nickerson 0-23; 8—Hoisington 11-10 vs. 9—Colby 12-10, 6 p.m.; 4—SW Heights 17-6 vs. 13—Russell 4-18; 5—Goodland 17-6 vs. 12—Norton 6-15
LARNED B (2-27)—2—Lakin 17-4 vs. 15—Lyons 2-19; 7—Ellsworth 14-6 vs. 10—Phillipsburg 10-9; 3—Beloit 16-4 vs. 14—Cimarron 3-20; 6—Larned 17-6 vs. 11—Scott City 8-12, 6 p.m.
HALSTEAD 45, HOISINGTON 40 — Halstead scored the final 12 points to steal a 45-40 comeback victory over Hoisington to tie the Cardinals for third place in the Central Kansas League.
Jackson Wendling and Carlos Martinez converted 3-pointers and Reece Carmichael's rebound basket gave Halstead a 41-30 lead. Damien Whillock and Martinez each sank two free throws.
Mason Martin missed a driving shot on the Cardinals' final chance to lead. Martin scored 13 points and Kobe Crawford added 10 points.
Halstead's Whillock scored 14 points. Halstead started the game ahead 15-2, giving the Dragons a 27-2 scoring edge during the start and finish. Hoisington gained a 38-18 scoring edge in the middle part of the game.
The Cardinals (13-10, 5-3 CKL) play Ellsworth (6-14) at 6 p.m. Thursday, a perfect revenge matchup after Ellsworth won 58-50 on Valentine's Day.
Hoisington 2 15 16 7 — 40
Halstead 8 11 12 14 — 45
HOISINGTON (13-10, 5-3)—Mason Martin 5 3-4 13; Crawford 5 0-0 10; Gruis 2 2-2 6; Pfannenstiel 2 1-2 5; Ingram 1 2-2 4; Carson Mason 1 0-0 2; Totals 16 8=10 40
HALSTEAD (10-12, 5-3)—Whillock 4 (1) 5-5 14; Martinez 2 (1) 4-4 9; Carmichael 2 1-1 7; Wendling 3 (1) 0-1 7; Brantley 2 0-0 4; Diaz 1 2-2 4; Totals 15 (3) 12-13 45
3A LARNED BOYS
LARNED A (2-26)—1—Beloit 16-4 vs. 16—Nickerson 4-19; 8—Phillipsburg 9-10 vs. 9—Russell 10-12; 4—Hoisington 13-10 vs. 13—Ellsworth 6-14, 6 p.m.; 5—Scott City 11-9 vs. 12—Lyons 8-13
LARNED B (2-26)—2—Holcomb 18-5 vs. 15—Cimarron 4-19; 7—Colby 11-11 vs. 10—Norton 9-11; 3—Lakin 13-8 vs. 14—Larned 6-17; 6—SW Heights 12-11 vs. vs. 11—Goodland 10-13
