BY BUDDY TABLER

Special to the Tribune

PRATT — Pratt's girls scored 20 fourth-quarter points to sweep past Larned 39-26 in Thursday's Central Kansas League basketball opener.

Pratt's Jaycie Theis scored 14 points and Hope Jackson netted 10 points. Larned's Akielah Collins scored 10 points.

Pratt led 9-5 after one quarter and 14-7 at halftime. Pratt shot 27% and Larned shot 13%. The Greenbacks led 19-13 after three quarters when Pratt hit 6 of 8 shots i  the fourth period.

Pratt converted 12 of 34 shots for 35% while Larned made 10 of 46 shots for 21%. Pratt attacked the basket and converted 11 of 19 free throws to 4 of 8 by Larned.

It was an aggressive, well-played game. Larned had 12 turnovers while Pratt had 14. Pratt's improved fourth-quarter shooting was the difference.

“I was pleased with our defensive effort," said Larned coach Jerrod Smith. "Our team played hard on defense and rebounded well. We had trouble shooting the ball. We’ve got to focus on getting better shots. Pratt’s zone defense caused us problems all evening."

 Larned's Jaydn Crosby scored seven points and Jaidyn Pinkston six. Larned plays Kinsley in Tuesday's Larned Keady Classic Classic.

Larned 5 2 6 13 — 26

Pratt 3 10 6 20 — 39

LARNED (0-1)—Collins 4 2-6 10, Crosby 2 2-2 7, Jaidyn Pinkston 3 0-0 6, Simmons 1 0-0 3, Totals 10 4-8 26.

PRATT (1-0)—Theis 4 6-10 14, Jackson 3 3-3 10, Hughes 3 0-0 9, Thibault 1 1-3 3, Harmon 1 0-0 2, Donnenwerth 0 1-2 1, Totals  

3-pointers—L 2 (Crosby 1, Simmons 1); P 4 (Hughes 3, Jackson 1)

PRATT 56, LARNED 37 — Larned raced to a 16-12 first-quarter lead. Pratt outscored the Indians 44-21 the rest of the way enroute to a 56-37 Central Kansas League victory. 

Pratt's Max Younie muscled inside for 22 points and Noah Riley added 12 points. Larned's Caden Colglazier scored 14 points and Tristan Regan added six points.

Larned picked apart Pratt's interior defense for a 16-12 lead. When 6-6 Arley Morrell returned, Pratt employed a rugged 2-3 zone defense which forced Larned into more outside shots. Larned converted 5 of 14 second-half shots.

“We got into a good rhythm, but when Pratt changed defenses, we had a hard time adjusting," Larned coach Luke Steinlage. "Pratt is a big, physical team with a good bench. We got tired in the second half, which led to poor shooting."

Pratt made 13 of 21 first-half shots for 61% and finished 24 of 43 for 55%. The tall and talented Greenbacks worked the ball inside for a number of easy baskets. Morrell and 6-2 Max Younie had strong defensive games.

Larned finished the evening with 16 turnovers to Pratt’s 10.

"I was pleased with our effort," Steinlage said. "Our new offense is more aggressive. It worked well until the fourth quarter. We will show a lot of improvement after this game.”

Larned's Talen Reynolds added 5 and Ty Smith 4. Larned plays Kinsley in Tuesday's Gene Keady Classic.

Larned 16 9 5 7 —37 

Pratt 12 19 15 11 — 56