ST. JOHN — Macksville High School’s boys’ basketball team pulled away from Larned in the final eight minutes to tuck away a 62-44 victory.
The Mustangs, who led 36-33 after three quarters, outscored the Indians 26-11 down the stretch in the first round of the St. John Lions Club Mid-Winter Classic on Thursday night.
Macksville (6-3) had four players in double figures, led by Tanner Tranbarger’s double-double with 17 points and 12 rebounds.
Jordan Welch added 14 points.
Adolfo Ibarra and Clayton Wood each finished with 10 points, and Wood cleared eight boards.
Larned senior Easton Palmer scorched Macksville for a game-high 23 points, making 5 of 11 3-pointers.
Camryn Bryant finished with seven points and six rebounds, including five offensive boards for Larned (2-9).

Hoisington 47, La Crosse 39
HOISINGTON — In spite of La Crosse’s barrage of 3-pointers in the final quarter, Hoisington was able to hold on to its lead for a win in a consolation bracket game of the Hoisington Cardinal Winter Jam.
The Lady Leopards scored five 3-pointers down the stretch, but the Lady Cardinals (4-6) held a 36-24 lead after three quarters and scored 11 points to stay ahead.
Jordin Greer led Hoisington with 19 points, including a pair of 3-pointers.
Olivia Lowry added eight, and Mykela Riedl scored six as seven Lady Cardinals contributed.
Hoisington plays Otis-Bison at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday at the Hoisington Activity Center.

                                                       — Kevin Price