CENTRAL PLAINS 60, ST. JOHN 54 — Brodie Crites scored 27 points to spark Central Plains past St. John 60-54 as the high-profile showdown for first place in the Central Prairie League exceeded expectations.

Emmett Delp kept the Tigers within range with a dazzling 37-point night for St. John (13-5, 6-1 CPL). Jace Reyes added 11 points.

The Oilers scored 40 second-half points, including a 25-20 edge in the fourth quarter. Rylan Siemsen added 11 points. The Oilers converted 18 of 24 free throws.

St. John 4 17 13 20 — 54

Central Plains 9 8 15 25 — 60

ST. JOHN (13-5, 6-1)—Delp 11 (4) 11-12 37; Reyes 4 (3) 0-0 11; Mawhirter 1 0-0 2; Braxton Alpers 1 0-0 2; Julio Lozano 1 0-0 2; Totals 18 (7) 11-12 54 

CENTRAL PLAINS (15-2, 7-0)—Crites 11 (1) 4-8 27; Siemsen 4 3-4 11; Stiles 2 (1) 4-4 9; Dody (1) 2-2 5; Daniels 0 5-6 5; Lamatsch (1) 0-0 3; Totals 19 (4) 18-24 60

ST. JOHN GIRLS 45, CENTRAL PLAINS 33 — St. John's girls won the battle for second place with a 45-33 Central Prairie League basketball victory over Central Plains.

St. John (11-7, 6-1 CPL) was paced by Lilly Brummer with 16 points and Jalyn Fisher with 10 points. The Tigers converted 13 of 15 free throws and defended the Oilers superbly.

The Oilers (11-6, 5-2 CPL) were led by Aevyn Siemsen with 14 points and Emery Siemsen added 10 points.

St. John 15 7 11 12 — 45

Central Plains 9 7 8 9 — 33 

ST. JOHN (11-7, 6-1)—Brummer 5 6-8 16; Jalyn Fisher 3 (2) 2-2 10; Bright 3 (1) 2-2 9; Reagan Bonner 2 (1) 2-2 7; Rockenbach 1 1-1 3; Totals 14 (4) 13-15 45

CENTRAL PLAINS (11-6, 5-2)—Aevyn Siemsen 5 (2) 2-3 14; Emery Siemsen 3 (1) 2-2 10; Izzy Hurley (1) 0-2 3; Nixon 0 2-4 2; Hekele 1 0-0 2; Lilly Hurley 1 0-0 2; Totals 11 (5) 6-11 33