BY BUDDY TABLER
Special to the Tribune
LYONS — The Larned boys won their second straight basketball game Tuesday as they pressed their way past the winless Lyons Lions, 59-43.
Larned’s defense converted 23 Lyons turnovers into 24 points. The turnover-filled contest kept both teams from getting into an offensive rhythm.
Larned (2-3) travels to Larned Friday to play the Central Plains Oilers. Lions drops to 0-5.
Larned was led in scoring by Jonathan Herter’s inside play with 20 points. Thomas Harmon added 13 and Mason Schartz 10.
Lyons led 14-11 after one quarter when Larned struggled to solve the Lions’ 2-3 zone defense. But the Indians outscored the Lions in the final three quarters.
Larned stepped up its full-court pressure defense and outscored Lyons 16-9 for a 27-23 halftime lead.
“Our effort was good, defense was good and our shooting was much better,” said Larned coach Jerrod Smith. “But we didn’t do a good job of taking care of the ball. I knew they would defense us with a zone and it took us a while to figure out how to attack it and how to get the ball inside. Any road win is a good win and I am glad to get it.”
Larned dominated the boards 30-19. Point guard Mason Schartz grabbed seven rebounds. The Indians converted 17 of 24 free throws and Lyons made 3 of 13 attempts.
Lyons was led by Tyler Edwards’ 12 points. Terek Smith contributed eight points and Seth Clayton seven.
LARNED 59, LYONS 43
Larned 11 16 13 19 – 59
Lyons 14 9 9 11 – 43
LARNED—Jon Herter 8 4-6 20; Thomas Harmon 5 2-3 13; Mason Schartz 2 5-7 10; Dalton Bright 1 3-4 5; Castro 1 0-0 2; Colton Massey 0 1-2 1; Alex Barger 1 1-1 3; Mead 1 0-0 2; Perez 1 1-2 3; Totals 20 17-25 59.
LYONS—Edwards 5 0-2 12; Kirkhart 3 0-0 6; Clayton 3 1-2 7; Robl 1 0-3 2; Minix 0 1-2 1; Gomez 2 1-2 5; Smith 4 0-2 8; Pena 1 0-0 2; Totals 19 3-13 43.
CENTRAL KANSAS LEAGUE BOYS
Hillsboro 0-0 4-0
Hesston 0-0 4-1
Halstead 0-0 3-1
Nickerson 0-0 2-2
Kingman 0-0 2-3
Haven 0-0 2-2
Pratt 0-0 2-2
Smoky Valley 0-0 2-2
Larned 0-0 2-3
Hoisington 0-0 1-3
Lyons 0-0 0-5
TUESDAY’S GAMES
Larned 59, Lyons 43
Pratt 61, Kingman 44
Smoky Valley 61, Hesston 52
Sterling 71, Nickerson 60
THURSDAY’S GAME
Hoisington at Pratt
FRIDAY’S GAMES
Larned at Central Plains
Haven at Lyons
Smoky Valley at Halstead
Hesston at Kingman