MANHATTAN – Central Plains roared past No. 2 ranked Olpe 69-44 Friday to spoil the Eagles’ unbeaten season and qualify for the Class 2A state basketball championship.
“We haven’t been here at state before, so it’s pretty exciting,” said Layne Bieberle. “It’s been a fun ride. We all stepped up tonight.”
St. John was mostly dominated the Oilers, winning six in a row the past two seasons.
The Oilers played a near perfect third quarter by converting 10 of 11 field goals against Olpe. The Oilers made 12 of 13 field goals and 23 of 29 free throws.
That’s the type of execution that will be required to upset St. John. The Oilers nearly upset the Tigers when they lost 59-57 at Claflin in December.
Kansas State recruit Dean Wade scored 28 points in the Tigers’ 59-57 victory. Michael Ryan scored 26 points and Bieberle had 15 points. Michael Lamatsch’s 3-pointer to win the game missed the mark.
“We knew St. John pretty well,” said Brett Rolfs, Central Plains coach. “We’ve got a pretty good scouting report. I know the kids will be excited to play them.”
The teams probably would’ve played for the state title last year, but were in the same Class 2A substate.
“It’s right that we play St. John,” said Michael Ryan. “We play them enough that we know each other pretty well.”
The Oilers outscored the Eagles 19-9 in the second quarter and 15-5 in the fourth quarter. But their best basketball came in the third quarter when the Oilers converted 10 field goals in a row in a 23-point quarter.
The Oilers showed balance as Braedan Crites, Layne Bieberle and Jacob Warnken each scored six points in the quarter.
“It’s a good feeling and puts a coach at ease when you see that type of execution,” said Rolfs. “We shared the basketball really well like we normally do. I didn’t expect anything like that, but knew we were capable of playing that well.”
Michael Ryan led the Oilers with 20 points. Crites (15), Bieberle (14) and Warnken (14) all scored in double figures.
The Oilers (22-3) prepared for the Tigers by playing four Class 6A teams, beating Dodge City, Junction City and Shawnee Mission South.
Olpe (24-1) shot 58 percent and lost by 25 points. Joe Redecker muscled inside for 22 points and Bo Krueger added 14 points. Olpe made 17 of 29 field goals.

CENTRAL PLAINS 69, OLPE 44
Class 2A semifinal
Central Plains               12 19 23 15 — 69
Olpe                              11  9 19  5  — 44
Central Plains—Michael Ryan 4-7 12-14 20; Braedan Crites 5-7 5-6 15; Layne Bieberle 5-9 3-5 14; Jacob Warnken 5-5 1-2 14; Hunter Ingham 2-3 2-2 6; Michael Lamatsch 0-0 0-0 0; Bryce Miller 0-0 0-0 0; Brady Rugan 0-0 0-0 0; Colton Schlochtermeier 0-0 0-0 0; Alex Barton 0-0 0-0 0; Kyle Lewis 0-0 0-0 0; Totals 21-31 23-29 69.
Olpe—Joe Redeker 9-14 3-7 22; Bo Krueger 5-6 4-7 14; Jake Smith 1-3 0-0 2; Brady Scheidegger 1-2 1-2 3; Jarod Mercer 0-1 0-0 0; Kyler True 1-3 0-2 3; Totals 17-29 8-18 44.
3-point goals—CP 4-7 (Warnken 3-3, Bieberle 1-4); Olpe 2-3 (True 1-1, Redeker 1-2). Rebounds—CP 18 (Crites 7), Olpe 10 (Krueger 3). Assists—CP 12 (Crites 3, Bieberle 3, Ryan 3), Olpe 5 (Krueger 2). Steals—CP 4 (Lamatsch 3), Olpe 2. TO--CP 6, Olpe 8.