HALSTEAD — The Halstead girls made their free throws down the stretch which allowed them to hold off the hard-charging Larned Indians Friday night as they squeezed out a 51-46 Central Kansas League victory.
Halstead (12-3, 4-1 CKL) was led by Daphne Williams’ 28 points while Kayla Newman added 12.
Larned (8-7, 3-3 CKL) got a strong performance by sophomore post player, Katie Fischer with 17 points and a dozen rebounds. Haley Skelton added 13 and Kelsey Parr 10. The Indians play Hoisington (8-7, 3-2 CKL) Tuesday at home.
“I am extremely proud of our girls for the way they fought back,” said Larned coach Ashley Crosby. “Halstead is a fine ball club and we had two key players missing tonight due to injury and sickness, but everyone stepped up. Everyone contributed in a good game against a good ball club on the road.”
Both teams struggled shooting with Halstead up 8-6. Williams canned four 3-pointers in the second quarter and scored 15 points for a 25-18 halftime lead. Fischer’s 10 second-quarter points helped Larned stay within range.
Williams converted a pair of 3-pointers, one as the third quarter ended for a 38-26 lead after three quarters.
Behind the inside presence of Fischer, the outside shooting of Kelsey Parr and the “attack the basket” mentality of Haley Skelton, the Indians began pecking away in the fourth quarter. Parr stole a pass and converted for a 46-44 score with 2:12 left in the game.
But Williams calmly dropped in seven of eight free throws to hold off the Indians.
Free throw shooting was the difference as the Dragons converted 11 of 19 while Larned was 8 of 15.

LHS 6 12 8 20 – 46
HHS 8 17 13 13 – 51
LARNED—Katie Fischer 17, Haley Skelton 13, Kelsey Parr 10, Ivory Muldrow 3, Bailey Ritchie 2, Baylea Perez 1.
HALSTEAD—Williams 28, Kayla Newman 12, Anderson 8, Runnebaum 2, Casey 1.