LARNED — The Larned boys led for 28 minutes, but the final four minutes proved pivotal as Macksville rallied for a 47-39 win in Friday’s Keady Basketball Classic.
The Indians led by three to seven points throughout the contest but with 3:50 remaining in the fourth quarter and holding just a one-point lead, Larned’s Chance Sanger was called for a technical foul.
Two made technical free throws and a score on the resulting inbounds play caused a momentous shift in the game and the Mustangs grabbed a three-point lead at 42-38, a lead they would not relinquish in the final moments of the game.
Larned made three critical turnovers in the final minutes, negating any chance they had of regaining the lost momentum. The Indians committed 18 turnovers in the game 11 in the second half.
“We lost our composure in that fourth quarter,” said Larned coach Jarrod Smith. “We had a lead but then lost our cool with that technical and then didn’t respond well when Macksville got the lead. We had unforced turnovers going down the stretch and it cost us against a good team. We’ve got to learn from this.”
Larned forged a 23-18 halftime lead as Macksville missed six free throws. However, the Mustangs converted 11 of 15 in the second half. Larned converted four of nine free throws.
Macksville (2-1) meets St. John in Saturday’s championship game. Karson Waters led Macksville (13) with Jacob Rein (11), Kreed Parr (8) and Kaleb Lickiss (7).
Larned (2-1) meets Hoisington in the third place game. Keelan Castro (13) was backed by Mason Perez (8), Brock Skelton (7) and DaMontay Phillips (6).