LA CROSSE 46, ELLINWOOD 40 

LA CROSSE — La Crosse spoiled the coaching debut for first-year Ellinwood coach Jaron Lane with a hard fought 46-40 Central Prairie League basketball victory over the 3-time defending league champions.

Ellinwood's Landon Simpson scored 24 points in a brilliant opener, but the Eagles were unable to break down the Leopards' defense. 

The Eagles held Gage Burk to 10points and Caden Morgan to seven points. But Conner Barriger stepped up for a 17-point night that was the difference.

Coach Lane believes the Leopards have the talent to make a run at the Central Prairie League basketball title.

Ellinwood 13 12 8 7 — 40

La Crosse 9 15 8 14 — 46

ELLINWOOD (0-1)—Simpson 9 2-4 24, Moore 3 0-0 6, Heinz 2 1-2 5, Brack 1 0-0 3, Coleman 1 0-0 2, Totals 16 3-6 40.

LA CROSSE (1-0)—Conner Barriger 8 1-4 17, Burk 4 2-3 10, Morgan 2 2-5 7, Holopirek 1 2-2 4, Skillett 4 0-0 8, Totals 19 6-14 46.

3-pointers—E 4 (Simpson 4, Brack 1), L 2 (Morgan 1, Holopirek 1).

LA CROSSE GIRLS 59, ELLINWOOD 26

LA CROSSE — La Crosse's Alexa Ryersee dominated with 24 points to power the Leopards past Ellinwood 61-26 in Friday's Central Prairie League basketball game. Avery Parrott added nine points.

Ellinwood's Addi Stickney led the way with 10 points. It spoiled the debut for Ellinwood coach Greg Maxwell. 

Ellinwood 5 7 10 4 — 26

La Crosse 20 14 15 10 — 59

ELLINWOOD (0-1)—Stickney 2 6-8 10, Jacobs 1 0-0 3, Widener 1 1-2 3, Shinliver 2 0-0 4, Stickney 1 2-4 4, Ricker 0 2-2 2, Totals 7 11-16 26.

LA CROSSE (1-0)—Ryersee 7 7-9 24, Parrott 4 0-0 9, Molly Showalter 1 0-0 2, Liz Showalter 3 2-3 8 Ducharme 0 2-4 2, Thielenhaus 2 0-0 4, Patterson 3 1-2 8, Day 1 0-0 2, Totals 22 12-18 59. 

3-pointers—E 1 (Jacobs 1); L 5 (Ryersee 3, Patterson 1, Parrott 1).