BY BDDUT TABLER
COLBY After holding Colby scoreless for the final 5:43, Larned's girls had two chances to tie or win a 36-35 non-league basketball showdown against the Eagles Friday.
Colby's leading scorer Kaylee Holzmeister converted a 3-pointer for a 36-30 lead, but Larned shut out the Eagles in the final minutes.
Larned's Cammy Upson scored a rebound basket and Jadyn Crosby converted two free throws. Taeten Reynolds converted 1 of 2 free throws for a 36-35 score with 1:16 left. The Indians turned the ball over on its final possession with 11 seconds left.
"We needed one more basket to go in," said Larned coach Jerrod Smith. "We got shots we wanted, but they didn’t go in tonight. We played hard and we did a good job of attacking the basket. We got into the paint and didn't finish the play."
Crosby led Larned (5-2) with 10 points and Upson added nine points. Holzmeister finished with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Colby converted 1 of 11 free throws.
In the second half, Larned made 3 of 18 shot attempts. Larned made 15 of 17 free throw attempts but converted only 9 of 37 field goals for 24%.
Both teams used strong defense to keep the offenses out of rhythm all night. Larned carved out a 6-point lead in the third quarter before Colby make a run for a 6-point lead.
Colby made 14 of 34 field goals (41%) but converted 1 of 11 free throws.
Larned (5-2) plays Ellsworth Tuesday at home.
Larned 11 9 7 8 — 35
Colby 9 9 10 8 — 36
LARNED (5-2)—Crosby 10, Upson 8, Sleder 7, Simmons 5, Reynolds 3, Wachs 2, Totals 9-37 (2) 15-17 35
COLBY (4-3)—Holzmeister 12, Flanagin 8, Vaughn 7, Cheney 4, Maddie McCarty 3, Tubbs 2, Totals 13-34 (9) 1-11 36
COLBY 75, LARNED 51 — Colby's high-scoring Jordan Jones scored a career high 40 points to hit the 1,000-point barrier in a 75-51 non-league basketball victory over the Larned Indians. With 39 seconds remaining, Jones hit a 2-point jumper for 40 points, earning him an ovation from the home crowd.
Colby (5-2) outscored Larned 44-29 after halftime.
"We kept the game close until the fourth quarter and we had to get out of our 2-3 zone and go man-to-man," said Larned coach Larned coach Luke Steinlage. "When we did, their speed really took advantage of us and the score ballooned for them. I’m glad we don’t have to face the Jones kid again.”
Larned's Kylier Greene delivered 19 points and 10 rebounds. Tristan Regan gave strong support with 12 points and 13 rebounds.
Larned jumped out to an early 8-2 lead. But Jones quickly responded for a 13-8 first-quarter lead extended to 31-22 at halftime.
The third quarter was a scoring contest between Jones and Larned’s Greene as the two teams battled on even terms. Colby led 51-41 after three quarters.
Colby continued to focus on Jones on the cusp of a special night. His scoring outburst propelled the Eagles from a 9-point lead to 20-plus leads in the fourth quarter.
Larned outshot Colby, making 22 of 48 shots (46%). Colby earned a lot more shots than Larned, 33 of 81 (41%), due to 23 Larned turnovers and a sizeable rebounding advantage. Larned made 6 of 17 free throws and Colby 5 of 10.
Andres Martinez scored 7, Landis Hagerman 6, Javon Topps 3 and Koby Lang, Grady Pinkston and Mason Cooper each scored 2.
Larned (2-5) plays Ellsworth Tuesday.
Larned 8 14 19 10 — 51
Colby 13 18 20 24 — 75
LARNED (2-5)—Greene 19, Tristan Regan 12, Hagerman 6, Martinez 5, Topps 3, Pinkston 2, Lang 2, Cooper 2, Totals 22-48 (1) 6-17 51
COLBY (5-2)—Jones 40, Hoppe 10, Wright 7, Curry 7, Cates 4, Dickson 3, Joslin 2, Totals 33-81 (5) 5-10 75
