MACKSVILLE — The Macksville High School girls’ basketball team dominated Western Plains on Tuesday night, cruising to a 53-19 victory at home.
The win allows Macksville to hold on to its 6-0 record until the new year, and gives the Lady Mustangs their first Central Prairie League victory this season.
Macksville started slow from the field, shooting only 13.6 percent from the floor, including 0-for-6 from beyond the arc.
The Lady Mustangs did have two things to help them through a rough patch: defense and free throws.
Macksville was able to hold the Lady Bobcats to only 1-for-5 in the first half, while only putting Western Plains on the free-throw line nine times.
On the other side of the court, Macksville made 17 first-half trips to the line and drained 13 on their way to a 25-6 halftime lead.
The Lady ’Stangs, who were led in scoring by Jena Clowers, who had 13 points and five rebounds, exploded in the third quarter, scoring 22 points.
Defensively, Macksville looked to Keira Parr, who led the team with six steals adding 10 points of her own.
The Lady ’Stangs will be back in action on Jan. 4 at home against Cunningham.

BOYS
Macksville 86, Western Plains 9
MACKSVILLE — Minutes after the Macksville girls eased past Western Plains, the boys put on a show, holding the Bobcats to four points in the first half.
Taylor Tranbarger took center stage for Macksville (5-1), scoring a game-high 15 points, three steals and three assists in 14 minutes on the court. Tranbarger hit three of Mustangs’ four 3-pointers in the game.
Kyle Bunker nearly missed a double-double with 12 points and nine rebounds.
Derek Bevan and Clayton Wood each added nine points.
The Mustangs went to the free-throw line 25 times and drained 16. The Bobcats did not take one free throw in the game.

Larned 50, Claflin 45
LARNED — Jahman Hill led the Larned Indians (1-4) to their first win of the season with 20 points in Tuesday night’s home game against Claflin.
Jeret Johnson added 12 points and Justin Vratil also made it to double digits with 10.
Claflin (1-6) jumped to an early lead, 14-7 in the first half. That lead held through three quarters.
The Wildcats entered the fourth quarter with a 37-33 lead, but a 16-8 fourth quarter in Larned’s favor turned the game around.
Clalfin was led by Benn Kirmer, who rang up a game-high 24 points. Tim Stueder added six points.