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Larned boys win second straight overtime
allison aldrich
Larneds Allyson Aldrich (2) and Haley Skelton (13) apply pressure to a Pratt Greenback. - photo by Janet Fleske Special to the News


By BUDDY TABLER

LARNED — The Larned boys overcame a blistering exhibition of 3-point shooting to upset the Pratt Greenbacks 67-64 in overtime Tuesday. It was the second straight overtime win for the Indians as they took down Halstead 61-59 in extra minutes Friday.
After a 63-63 tie, Tanner Galliart scored under the basket and Evan Skelton nailed two free throws with 10 seconds remaining in overtime. The Indians (12-4, 6-1) move into second place in the CKL behind defending champion Hesston.
As they did against Halstead, Larned made its move with about five minutes left in regulation. The Indians outscored Pratt 18-6 in the fourth period. Larned (12-4, 6-1 CKL) travels to Sterling Friday. Pratt (10-6, 5-2 CKL) travels to Nickerson Friday.
Trailing by eight points, Larned’s defensive pressure forced Pratt into five straight turnovers and the Indians got back in contention. Two free throws by Larned’s Isiah Perez tied the game at 63 with one minute left. Pratt turned the ball over and Larned held for a final shot. Two attempts missed and the game went to overtime.
Larned’s second straight overtime win was fueled by Isiah Perez with 21, Tanner Galliart’s 15 and Trevor Meyer’s 10. Larned hit 20 of 25 free throws and forced Pratt into 22 turnovers in the game.
Pratt’s Jacob Kurz came out on fire as he nailed five three-point shots in the first quarter, propelling the Greenbacks to a 24-16 lead. He canned two more in the second quarter for a 21-point total at halftime. Larned’s stingy defense shut out Kurz in the final 20 minutes.
Meanwhile Larned got their running game going and clawed their way back into the game, leading 36-35 at halftime.
Behind Hayden Schrag’s three-pointers and the slashing of freshman Travis Theis the Greenbacks moved their lead to double figures ahead 57-45 after three periods. Pratt scored one field goal in the final 12 minutes.
Pratt’s Jacob Kurz scored 21 points. Hayden Schrag and Bryce Stegman each scored 14 points.
• PRATT GIRLS 55, LARNED 31 — The Pratt Lady Greenbacks, bolstered by the return of leading scorer Breann Becker, raced past Larned 55-31. Becker chipped in five points.
Larned (3-13, 1-6 CKL) trailed 13-10 after one period by forcing several Pratt turnovers. Pratt keyed the outside shooting of Kelsey Smith-Potter and Destani Garten for a 16-3 edge in the second period and a 29-13 halftime lead.
The Greenbacks (8-8, 2-5 CKL) were led in scoring by Garten and Smith-Potter’s 16 points. Pratt dominated the rebounding as the Greenbacks scored numerous buckets on offensive putbacks.
Bailey Ritchie came off the bench to lead the Indians with nine points. Haley Skelton scored eight points and Kelsey Parr added seven. Larned plays at Sterling and Pratt travels to Nickerson Friday.

Pratt 24 11 22 6 1 — 64
Larned 16 20 9 18 4 — 67
Pratt—Kurz 7 0-0 21; Schrag 5 0-0 14; Stegman 3 8-9 14; Theis 3 1-2 7; Myers 1 2-2 4; Roadhouse 0 2-2 2; Stephens 1 0-0 2; Totals 20 13-15 64.
Larned—Perez 6 6-7 21; Galliart 5 5-6 15; Meyer 4 2-2 10; Skelton 2 4-4 8; Zimmerman 3 1-4 7; Bright 2 2-2 6; Totals 22 20-25 67.

Pratt 13 16 12 14 — 55
Larned 13 3 7 11 — 31
Pratt—Garten 6 2-3 16; Potter 5 2-2 16; Coates 3 0-1 6; Maydew 2 2-2 6; Becker 2 0-0 5; Batman 1 1-2 3; McGowan 1 0-0 3; Totals 20 7-11 55.
Larned—Ritchie 3 3-3 9; Skelton 2 4-10 8; Parr 2 2-2 7; Finger 2 0-0 4; Aldrich 1 0-0 3; Totals 10 9-15 31.