BY JIM MISUNAS
jmisunas@gbtribune,com

CLAFLIN  — Central Plains all-stater Emily Ryan is well known for her offensive skill. Ryan's underrated defensive ability was on full display against Haven's Faith Paramore in the Oilers' 60-33 basketball victory over the Wildcats Friday.

Oral Roberts signee Paramore missed her first 11 field goals against Ryan's splendid defensive effort. Paramore made 1 of 14 field goals in a 5-point game. Ryan countered with a 25-point night and her usual sparkling floor game.

The Oilers turned 22 Haven turnovers into easy transition scores and extra offensive possessions. 

"It started with defense for sure. That's what won us the game," Ryan said. "We got our hands on balls and got fast-break layups. We knew they were a talented team. We knew we had to bring it today. I was proud how we came out focused."

The No. 1 ranked 1A Oilers (6-0) have won a state record 117 consecutive basketball games. Ryan is averaging 28 ppg and has scored 2,461 career points, fifth all-time. The Oilers are outscoring teams 69-21.

Rachel Lamatsch led the Oilers' 14-assist night with six assists. Addison Crites scored 11 points and Kassidy Nixon added 10 points and five steals. The Oilers made 25 of 48 field goals. 

Central Plains outscored the Wildcats 17-5 for a 32-18 halftime lead. Lamatsch had two assists and Ryan scored six points and Crites scored five points in that first-half stretch. In the second half, Lexi Oeser hit a 3-pointer and Ryan scored twice and Nixon once off Haven steals for a 50-21 lead.

No. 8 state-ranked 3A Haven (4-2) made 11 of 40 field goals for 33 percent shooting. Sara Yutzy scored 12 points and Maguire Estill added eight points.

"Our defense has carried us all year," said Central Plains coach Pat Stiles. "We kept after them and wore them down a little bit. I know how good Haven is and they have good size. They have a great player in Paramore."

Haven 7 11 7 8 – 33

Central Plains 13 19 26 2– 60

HAVEN (4-2)—Yutzy 6-8 0-3 12; Estill 2-6 4-4 8; Paramore 1-14 2-4 5; Arnold 0-0 2-2 2; Matteson 0-5 0-0 0; Roper 2-5 0-0 6; Brawner 0-2 0-0 0; Totals 11-40 8-13 33 .

CENTRAL PLAINS (6-0)—Emily Ryan 10-16 4-4 25; Crites 5-9 1-4 11; Nixon 4-5 2-2 10; Oeser 3-4 0-0 8; Rugan 3-10 0-2 6; Potter 0-1 0-0 0; Jeffrey 0-2 0-0 0; Lamatsch 0-1 0-0 0; Totals 25-48 7-12 60.

3-pointers—Haven 3-14 (Roper 2-4, Paramore 1-6, Brawner 0-1, Matteson 0-3); CP 3-11 (Oeser 2-3, Ryan 1-2, Jeffrey 0-2, Lamatsch 0-1, Rugan 0-3). Rebounds—CP 27 (Lamatsch 6). Assists—CP 14 (Lamatsch 6). Steals—CP 13 (Nixon ).

HAVEN 48, CENTRAL PLAINS 24

CLAFLIN — Haven's Wyatt Carmichael scored 18 points as the Wildcats roared past Central Plains 48-24 in Friday's non-league basketball victory. The 3A state-ranked Wildcats (6-0) led 21-2 after one quarter with a near-perfect first quarter.

Central Plains (1-5) was led by Lawson Oeser with nine points on a trio of 3-pointers. Michael Laymon added five points.

Haven 21 11 6 10 – 48

Central Plains 2 1 1 1 –24

HAVEN (6-0)—Carmichael 7 4-6 18; Quintero 2 0-0 5, Yoder 1 0-0 2 Roper 5 0-1 10, Jacques 5 0-0 12, Barlow 0 1-2 1, Totals 20-43 5-9 48.

CENTRAL PLAINS (1-5)—Oeser 3 0-0 9; Michael Laymon 2 0-0 5; Heredia 1 1-1 3; Holmes 1 1-4 3; Bieberle 2 2-3 2; Lamatsch 0 2-2 2; Totals 7-32 6-10 24.

3-pointers—H 3-13 (Jacques 2, Quintero 1), CP 4-22 (Oeser 3, Laymon 1)