Oilers seek back-to-back titles
BY JIM MISUNAS
jmisunas@gbtribune.com
CLAFLIN — Every year, the Central Prairie League flexes its basketball muscles.
This year is no different. No. 1 ranked Central Plains joins Macksville, St. John at the 1A boys state tournament and Ness City is a 2A qualifier. The Central Prairie League has featured nine state basketball champions the past six years. The Central Plains girls have swept five consecutive 2A titles. St. John won three consecutive titles with all-stater Dean Wade leading the way.
The No. 1 ranked Oilers (24-0) play rival Macksville (18-6) at 4:45 p.m. in Thursday’s first round at Dodge City.
The Oilers own wins over state qualifiers — St. John three times, Macksville, Ness City and Plainville by an average of 21 points per game. The Oilers beat St. John 42-31 and 45-32 for their closest games of the season.
The Oilers roared past Macksville 59-27 Jan. 4, triggering a running clock in the fourth quarter. Oilers Brett Liebl (17), Alex Hickel (13) and Myles Menges (12) scored in double figures. The Oilers downed the Mustangs 56-41 in last year’s substate finals en route to the 2A state championship.
The Oilers are perfectly balanced with Liebl (17 ppg)and Hickel (13 ppg) providing inside offense. Sharpshooter Devin Ryan (14 ppg, 5 assists) leads the perimeter game with 46 percent 3-point accuracy and 79 percent foul shooting. Myles Menges (8 ppg) and Lawson Oeser (4 ppg) round out a solid starting lineup.
Defense is what drives the Oilers. Devin Ryan is a great on-ball defender and Hickel and Liebl provide strong inside defense. Menges can defend several positions. Oeser uses his quickness for solid defense. All five starters average more than one steal per game.
"Everything starts with our defense," said Central Plains coach Brett Rolfs. "We play solid team defense."
The Oilers are riding a 50-game winning streak.
CENTRAL PLAINS BOYS HISTORY (17-19)
21 STATE TRIPS (1-3 FINALS)
2019—1A—Central Plains (24-0) vs. Macksville (18-6)
2018—2A—Central Plains 58, Inman 42; Central Plains 58, Salina Sacred Heart 36; CHAMPIONSHIP—Central Plains 47, Pittsburg Colgan 34
2016—2A—Central Plains 77, Lawrence Seabury 56; Salina Sacred Heart 62, Central Plains 52; THIRD PLACE—Central Plains 56, Hill City 25
2015—2A—Central Plains 67, Jackson Heights 42; Central Plains 69, Olpe 44; CHAMPIONSHIP—St. John 49, Central Plains 44
2007—1A—Olpe 60, Claflin 44
2006—1A—Claflin 61, Lebo 54; Claflin 70, Brewster 55; CHAMPIONSHIP—Macksville 55, Claflin 45
2000—1A—Macksville 67, Claflin 64
1999—1A—Lebo 69, Quivira Heights 47
1995—1A—Brewster 74, Quivira Heights 67
1993—1A—Frankfort 72, Claflin 64
1992—1A—Pike Valley 67, Claflin 57
1989—2A—Spearville 88, Quivira Heights 60
1986—1A—Northern Valley 80, Claflin 55
1985—2A—Highland 60, Claflin 56
1984—2A—Prettty Prairie 59, Claflin 42
1983—1A—Quivira Heights 55, Inman 50; Thayer 44, Quivira Heights 43; THIRD PLACE—Quivira Heights 45, Brewster 40
1983—2A—Oswego 47, Claflin 45
1980—2A—Garden Plain 79, Claflin 53
1977—1A—Claflin 60, Hutchinson Trinity 58; Lebanon 66, Claflin 49; THIRD PLACE—Claflin 68, Mankato 50
1956—B—Claflin 62, Oswego 52; Claflin 56, Pretty Prairie 48; CHAMPIONSHIP—Inman 67, Claflin 66
1917—Bushton 28, Potter 6; Bushton 30, Macksville 8; Winfield 23, Bushton 21
