DODGE CITY — Central Plains Oiler Brett Liebl has been unstoppable in two state tournament games.
Liebl hustled for 25 points off 11 of 12 field goal shooting in the Oilers’ hard-fought 59-41 basketball victory over sharpshooting Caldwell in Friday’s 1A state semifinal. Liebl has converted 21 of 22 field goals in two state tournament games with flawless footwork and accurate inside shooting.
“It’s always good seeing good competition because that gets you ready for the next game,” Liebl said. “Our defense got tougher in the third and fourth quarters.”
The Oilers (26-0) advance to Saturday’s 1A state championship against Central Prairie League rival St. John after beating the Tigers three times (45-32, 42-31, 55-35) during the regular season. The Oilers have won 52 consecutive basketball games.
“It will probably be the least amount of scouting for a championship game you’ll ever see,” said Central Plains coach Brett Rolfs.
Caldwell pushed the Oilers 21-20 when Central Plains closed with a 10-2 scoring run for a 31-22 halftime lead. Alex Hickel converted a 3-point play off Devin Ryan’s assist and Lieblfollowed with another 3-point play. Liebl transformed into a passer with back-to-back assists to Devin Ryan and Myles Menges.
The Oilers outscored Caldwell 28-19 in the second half to gradually pull away. Liebl and Hickel combined for 22 first-half points and 19 second-half points. The Oilers shot 65 percent on 24 of 37 field goals.
“Caldwell played well and that was good for us,” said coach Rolfs. “We focused and executed better.”
The Bluejays (23-3) were dazzling from 3-point range with 8 of 16 shooting. Jalen Risley led the way with 13 points. Corbin Rice converted a trio of 3-pointers and Dru Volavka hit 5 of 6 field goals, including a pair of 3-pointers.
Rolfs gave Caldwell proper credit for superior outside shooting, 4 of 8 in both halves. The Bluejays scored 24 of their 41 points from long range.
“Most of the shots they were making were contested,” Rolfs said. “Caldwell shot the ball extremely well. We got enough stops to widen the gap.”
Caldwell 13 9 9 10 – 41
Central Plains 14 17 13 15 – 59
CALDWELL (23-3)—Jalen Risley 5-10 2-2 13, Volavka 5-6 0-0 12, Noyes 1-5 1-2 4, Rice 3-6 0-0 9, Schmidt 0-1 0-0 0, Ward 1-1 0-0 3, Totals 15-29 3-4 41
CENTRAL PLAINS (26-0)—Brett Liebl 11-12 3-3 25, Alex Hickel 6-9 4-4 16, Myles Menges 4-5 0-0 8, Devin Ryan 1-9 1-2 4, Lawson Oeser 2-2 1-2 6, Totals 24-37 9-11 59
3-pointers—C 8-16 (Rice 3-5, Volavka 2-3, Ward 1-1, Risley 1-2, Noyes 1-4, Schmidt 0-1), CP 2-9 (Oeser 1-1, Ryan 1-7, Hickel 0-1); Rebounds—C 10, CP 19 (Liebl 8); Assists—C 13 (Risley4), CP 18 (Ryan 8); Steals—C 0, CP 5; TO—C 9, CP 4
