ST. JOHN — The Central Plains High School boys’ basketball team didn’t take any time putting away Medicine Lodge in the first round of the St. John Lions Club Mid-Winter Classic on Tuesday night.
The Oilers (7-5) led 37-10 at intermission on their way to a 52-36 victory to advance to Friday’s game against host St. John, starting at 6:30 p.m.
Braeden Crites, a 6-foot-1 freshman, led Central Plains with 17 points, making 8 of 14 field goals for 57 percent.
Sophomore point guard Layne Bieberle added 13 points and five steals.
Joe Barton finished with eight points and nine rebounds.

Hoisington 70, Ellsworth 40
HOISINGTON — Cody Stetler led with 23 points as Hoisington pulled away for a win to open Hoisington Winter Jam action.
The Cardinals led 22-15 after eight minutes, but widened the gap throughout the rest of the game.
Anthony Broeder added 11 points for Hoisington (7-2).
The Cardinals play Minneapolis on Friday night at 8:15 p.m.

St. John 67, Nickerson 48
ST. JOHN — St. John, which is ranked No. 1 in Class 1A Division-I in the latest Kansas Basketball Coaches Association poll, opened the St. John Lions Club Mid-Winter Classic with a win.
The Tigers (11-0) play Central Plains on Friday night at 6:30.

Kinsley 65, Stafford 51
CUNNINGHAM — Stafford started great, taking a 16-9 lead after eight minutes.
However, Kinsley chipped away at the lead, taking hold of the game in the third quarter and scoring 25 points in the final eight minutes for the victory.
Taylor Newell led the Trojans (1-6) with 14 points.
Austin Ceniti added 12 points, and Ethan Johnson scored 11.
Stafford plays again on Friday afternoon at 3:30 p.m., taking on the loser of the South Barber-Wichita North game.

GIRLS
Ellinwood 47, Hoisington 37
HOISINGTON — Ellinwood jumped ahead early against Hoisington in a first-round game of the Hoisington Winter Jam.
The Lady Eagles soared to a 28-12 lead at halftime.
Ellinwood (7-3) was led by Sophia Hayes, who finished with 26 points, and Amanda Tucker grabbed 12 rebounds.
The Lady Eagles advance to a semifinal game on Friday against Victoria, starting at 6:30 p.m.
Jordin Greer led Hoisington (3-6) with 15 points.
Mykela Riedl added 11 points.
Hoisington plays La Crosse on Thursday night at 6:30.

                     — Kevin Price

Prep basketball schedule

Thursday

GIRLS
Hoisington Winter Jam
Otis-Bison vs. Minneapolis, 3 p.m.
La Crosse at Hoisington, 6:30 p.m.

BOYS
Bluestem Classic
Great Bend vs. Wichita Collegiate, 4 p.m.
Hoisington Winter Jam
Otis-Bison vs. Russell, 4:45 p.m.
La Crosse vs. Ellsworth, 8:15 p.m.
St. John Lions Club
Mid-Winter Classic
Medicine Lodge vs. Nickerson, 4:45 p.m.
Macksville vs. Larned, 6:30 p.m.
Ness City vs. Pratt, 8:15 p.m.