BY BUDDY TABLER

Special to the Tribune

LARNED — Halstead’s Karenna Gerber scored 22 first-half points and the Dragons roared past Larned’s girls 63-26 in Friday’s Central Kansas League basketball game.

Fans enjoyed a well-played first quarter that ended with Halstead clinging to a 15-12 lead. Halstead outscored the Indians 22-2 in the second quarter for a 37-14 halftime lead.

Larned played without starters Julie Tapia, Elizabeth Herrera and Kiana Meyer. Larned committed 34 turnovers and struggled with ball security against Halstead’s full-court pressure. Larned attempted 22 field goals.

“We started out well, but all those turnovers really cost us,” said Larned coach Ashley Crosby. “We were very short-handed with three starters not playing and Jaidyn Pinkston injured her knee. It left us without a rotation.”

Pittsburg State commit Gerber dominated the inside play. The 6-0 senior was strong defensively and played as a point guard throughout the evening, directing the Lady Dragon offense.

Halstead (15-2, 5-1 CKL) converted 26 of 51 field goal attempts. Gerber scored 27 points. Kaleigh O’Brien, Leah Weber and Parker Schroeder added eight apiece.

Larned converted 10 of 22 field goal attempts and five of 8 free throws. Akielah Collins scored seven points. Cadee Upson added six points and Reagan Krehbiel five.

Larned (2-14, 0-6 CKL) travels to Hillsboro Tuesday.   

Halstead 15 22 11 13 – 63

Larned 12 2 9 3 – 26

HALSTEAD (15-2, 5-1)—Gerber 12 3-4 27, O’Brien 2 4-4 8, Weber 3 0-0 8, Schroeder 4 0-0 8, McClain 2 0-0 4, Wilson 1 0-1 3, Engel 1 0-0 3, Schutte 1 0-2 2, Kelly 0 0-2 0, Totals 26-51 7-13 63

LARNED (2-14, 0-6)—Collins 1 5-8 7, Upson 3 0-0 6, Krehbiel 2 0-0 5, Lovesee 2 0-0 4, Hemken 1 0-0 2, Pinkston 1 0-0 2, Totals 10-22 5-8 26

3-pointers—H 4 (Weber 2, O’Brien 1, Engel 1), L 1 (Krehbiel 1)