LARNED — A smothering full-court pressure defense set the tone and the Larned girls went on to dominate Ellinwood 33-12 in a first-round game in the Keady Basketball Classic Monday.
Larned (1-1) moves to Friday’s semifinals against Spearville, a 55-35 winner over Macksville. Ellinwood (0-2) plays Macksville Thursday.
Larned led 20-3 at halftime fueled by 17 first-half turnovers. The Indians coasted in the second half. Ellinwood’s guards had trouble with the defensive pressure of Larned and had difficulty getting the ball into the post where leading scorer, 6-0 Madison Ward patrolled.
Katelynn Sanger and Brooke Butler were exceptional on defense creating numerous turnovers.
“This was a much better defensive game by our girls than the Pratt game,” said Larned coach Larned coach Ashley Crosby. “We were more focused, better prepared. Our guards kept the pressure on and that led to turnovers which led to points.”
The two teams combined to set a new record for the tournament in the fewest points scored in a game by two teams with 45. The old record of 46 was shared by Hoisington and St.John in 2014.
Larned improved its free throw shooting, going 9 of 16 for the game. The pleasure of a victory was dampened somewhat for Larned fans and coaches when 5-5 junior Ivory Muldrow left in the first half with an injured knee. Her status for the rest of the tournament is unknown.
Ellinwood was led in scoring by Madison Ward with eight points and eight rebounds. Rebecca Henderson and Ashtin Klepper were the only other Eagles to score as they had 2 points apiece.
Larned was led in scoring by Katie Fischer, Brooke Butler and Baylea Perez with seven points apiece.

EHS 2 1 7 2 – 12
LHS 12 8 3 10 – 33
ELLINWOOD—Ward 3 2-8 8, Klepper 1 0-0 2, Henderson 1 0-0 2, Totals 5 2-8 12.
LARNED—Fisher 2 3-4 7, Butler 3 1-2 7, Perez 2 2-2 7, Anderson 2 0-0 5, Sanger 1 1-2 3, Clark 1 0-2 2, Mead 0 1-2 1, Myrick 0 1-2 1, Totals 11 9-16 33.

LARNED KEADY CLASSIC
MONDAY GIRLS
Spearville 55, Macksville 35
Larned 33, Ellinwood 12
MONDAY BOYS
Macksville 44, Spearville 38
Larned 66, Ellinwood 27
TUESDAY GIRLS
2 p.m.—Hoisington vs. Kinsley
5 p.m.—St. John vs. Kiowa County
TUESDAY BOYS
3:30 p.m.—Hoisington vs. Kinsley
6:30 p.m.—St. John vs. Kiowa County

LINCOLN TOURNAMENT
MONDAY GIRLS
Plainville 58, Lincoln 17
Russell 48, Phillipsburg 31
MONDAY BOYS
Phillipsburg 52, Russell 34
Plainville 58, Lincoln 27
TUESDAY BOYS
5:45 p.m.—Central Plains vs. Ell-Saline
7:15 p.m.—Nickerson vs. Ellsworth
TUESDAY GIRLS
5:45 p.m.—Nickerson vs. Ellsworth
7:15 p.m.—Central Plains vs. Ell-Saline

FAIRFIELD CLASSIC
MONDAY GIRLS
South Haven 46, Chase 31
Flintshills 40, Stafford 28
MONDAY BOYS
Chase 51, South Haven 47
Stafford 68, Flinthills 38
TUESDAY GIRLS
3 p.m.—Otis-Bison vs. Stafford
6 p.m.—Fairfield vs. Chase
TUESDAY GIRLS
4:30 p.m.—Otis-Bison vs. Stafford
7:30 p.m.—Fairfield vs. Chase

NATOMA TOURNAMENT
MONDAY GIRLS
Palco 57, Western Plains 44
Pawnee Heights 44, Natoma 23
MONDAY BOYS
Palco 49, Western Plains 33
Pawnee Heights 52, Natoma 37
TUESDAY GIRLS
Palco vs. Pawnee Heights
Natoma vs. Western Plains
TUESDAY BOYS
Pawnee Heights vs. Palco
Natoma vs. Western Plains