BY BUDDY TABLER

Special to the Tribune

PRATT – The Larned boys looked to be in mid-season form Friday evening. They opened a 19-15 first quarter lead and increased the lead for a 60-49 basketball victory over Pratt, last year’s Class 4A-Division 2 state runner-up.

Behind the hot shooting of sophomore Chance Sanger’s 15 first-half points, the Indians grabbed a 34-27 lead at halftime. Larned and Pratt traded mini-runs throughout the rest of the game. Larned kept Pratt at arm’s length.

Larned (1-0) was led by sophomore Chance Sanger with 17 points, 15 by halftime. Scoring in double figures were Brock Skelton (15), Keelan Castro (13) and DaMontay Phillips (10). Phillips grabbed 10 rebounds for a double-double for the night.

Larned coach Jerrod Smith used a deep bench and played ten players. “This was a good win for us, coming off a 4-17 season,” Smith said. “We took good care of the ball and our defense was terrific. I am very pleased.”

This game was all about Larned and its’ strong floor play and rebounding. Larned will play Ellinwood in Larned’s Keady Basketball Classic Monday. Macksville plays Spearville in the second doubleheader at Larned.

Pratt ‘s outstanding guard Travis Theis, sprained his ankle in the first quarter and was unable to return. Pratt (0-1) was led by Grant Bolen with 14 points and Landen Studer, with 12.