CLAFLIN — Central Plains High School took full advantage of the absence of La Crosse’s Kip Keeley, a 6-foot-3 post player, on Friday night.
The Oilers repeatedly drove to the basket on their way to a 54-36 victory.
“I noticed when I scouted them that even with Keeley, they were a little slow getting back on defense when they press, so I wanted us to be aggressive,” said Central Plains head coach Brett Rolfs, alluding to the Kansas State football signee. “That’s what we did. That’s part of our game anyway. We want to go the rim as much as we can.”
With an 11-0 run, Central Plains (10-8) captured an early 15-7 lead.
A driving layup from Oilers guard Braeden Crites, who finished with eight points, closed the gap to 7-6 with 2:34 remaining in the first quarter.
Layne Bieberle knotted the score at seven with 1 of 2 free throws.
Michael Ryan made a pair of free throws before Michael Lamatsch closed the first period with a jumper. He opened the second quarter with another basket, followed by Bieberle capping the run with a driving layup.
Bieberle, who scored a game-high 22 points, was fouled, but he missed his free-throw attempt.
Ryan and Lamatsch both finished with eight points.
Central Plains managed to add to its lead before halftime, holding a 30-19 advantage at intermission.
Bieberle took over in the second half, scoring 14 of the Oilers’ 24 points in the half. He scored all of his team’s points in the fourth quarter.
“He’s a great player,” Rolfs said of Bieberle. “He’s really good when he gets to the rim, and he’s also a pretty good shooter.”
The Oilers travel to Ness City on Tuesday night.

HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL

BOYS

Friday

At Claflin

Central Plains 54, La Crosse 36
LA CROSSE
    Derrick Depperschmidt 1 0-0 3, Lucas Moeder 3 4-4 10, Marshall Jay 2 0-0 5, Taylor Yohe 3 0-0 6, Sheldon Schmidt 2 3-3 7, Chance Sherman 2 1-2 5. Totals 13 8-9 36.
CENTRAL PLAINS (10-8)
    Layne Bieberle 9 2-5 22, Konner Hickel 1 0-0 3, Michael Ryan 3 2-2 8, Braeden Crites 4 0-0 8, Michael Lamatsch 4 0-0 8, Kyler Schloctermeier 2 1-2 5. Totals 23 5-9 54.
La Crosse            7     12    13    4  —  36
Central Plains    11    19    16    8  —  54
    Three-point goals — La Crosse 2 (Depperschidt, Jay); Central Plains 3 (Bieberle 2, Hickel). Total fouls — La Crosse 12, Central Plains 12. Fouled out — None.