LARNED 58, NICKERSON 26

NICKERSON — Larned’s boys outscored Nickerson 21-3 in the fourth quarter to trigger a running clock in a 58-26 Central Kansas League victory over last-place Nickerson.
Larned (13-5, 6-3 CKL) clinched the victory with a typically balanced offense with Evan Skelton and Trevor Meyer scoring 12 points apiece and Derek Delgado adding 10 points. The Indians adjusted defensively after halftime.
“It was a nice defensive effort,” said Larned coach Don Zimmerman. “They did a good job making adjustments. We matched up and didn’t lose anybody. I was proud of them. They just drive the ball to the basket. The kids did a great job drawing the charges. We got separation when we got some stops. Evan Skelton and Isiah Perez played big the second half.”
The Panthers attacked the basket, but Larned was well prepared and drew several charging fouls.
“It was tough for us for a team that likes to drive to the basket. We weren’t getting the calls tonight,” said Nickerson coach Pete Herrera.”
Larned will meet Hugoton (12-5) and top-seeded Holcomb (17-1) will meet Pratt (10-8) in the Class 4A-Division 2 Larned substate.
Jared Petz, Jordan Lehman and Austin O’Toole scored five points apiece for Nickerson (3-14, 1-8 CKL). The Panthers will be seeded fourth and play state-ranked Wichita Trinity in the Nickerson Class 4A substate.
Jared Petz and Austin O’Toole scored five points apiece for Nickerson (3-14, 1-8 CKL).
LARNED 58, NICKERSON 26
Larned       9  15   3  21 — 58
Nickerson    4  13   6   3  — 26
Larned—Skelton 4-11 2-2 12, Meyer 4-10 4-5 12, Delgado 3-7 4-9 10, Perez 4-6 0-0 8, Galliart 3-4 2-3 8, O’Neill 3-6 0-0 6, Jordan Zimmerman 0-4 2-2 2; Totals 21-48 14-21 58.
NHS—Petz 2-3 1-2 5, O’Toole 1-8 2-2 5, Lehman 2-6 1-2 5, Coleman Jordan 2-9 0-0 4, Berridge 1-4 0-0 2, Cody Casey 1-4 0-0 2, Stewart 1-8 0-0 3; Totals 10-42 4-6 26.
3-pointers—LHS 2-11, NHS 2-13, Rebounds—NHS 22, Larned 36. Turnovers—NHS 18, LHS 12