BY JIM MISUNAS
jmisunas@gbtribune.com
ST. JOHN – Ness City’s John Pfannenstiel delivered the big shots in the Eagles’ 52-46 comeback victory over Central Plains, the defending Mid-Winter Classic basketball champion.
The Eagles (11-1) earn a rematch with No. 1 ranked St. John in Saturday’s championship game. The Tigers beat Ness City 53-42 Jan. 6.
The semifinal featured a hard-fought, well-played basketball game with solid teamwork on both sides.
Pfannenstiel converted a pair of 3-pointers to give the Eagles the lead that capped a 19-7 game-ending rally from a 39-33 deficit. He also sealed the victory with four free throws.
But there was no doubt that Chandler Stiawalt was the true hero with a near triple double with 10 points, 13 rebounds and an eye-popping nine assists. The Eagles delivered the extra pass with a stunning 19 assists off 21 baskets. Stiawalt wrapped around a score with two assists for a 44-42 lead.
Alex Barton’s tying score was answered by back-to-back scores by Devin Brown for a 48-44 lead. Pfannenstiel converted four free throws.
Barton and Brett Liebl each scored 15 points to hand the Oilers a 39-33 lead. Barton scored twice and Devin Ryan added the Oilers’ final basket in the fourth period.
“We kept our composure and kept battling,” said Ness City coach Matt Overlease. “We had guys step up offensively and defensively. We had guys make shots. It was a fun game, a hard-fought game.”
No one stepped up bigger than Pfannenstiel, who scored 18 points. Christian Scheopner added 12 points.
“I was proud of the way he shot the ball,” Overlease said.
The Oilers (8-3) play Pratt in Saturday’s third-place game.
NESS CITY 52, CENTRAL PLAINS 46
CP 12 11 16 7 -- 46
NC 15 8 12 17 -- 52
CP—Hickel 4-14 2-3 10; Ryan 2-6 0-0 4; Schlochtermier 1-1 0-0 2; Miller 0-2 0-0 0; Barton 6-11 1-2 15; Liebl 7-15 1-2 15; Totals 20-49 4-7 46.
NC—Pfannenstiel 5-10 4-8 18; Fellhoelter 1-2 0-0 2; Stiawalt 4-13 1-4 10; Brown 3-4 0-0 6; Scheopner 6-10 0-0 12; Rios 2-3 0-0 4; Totals 21-42 5-9 52.
3-point goals—CP 2-12 (Barton 2-6, Hickel 0-3, Ryan 0-3), NC 5-15 (Pfannenstiel 4-8, Stiawalt 1-5, Fellhoelter 0-1, Rios 0-1). Rebounds—CP 19 (Liebl 5), NC 24 (Stiawalt 13). Assists—CP 9 (Ryan 5), NC 19 (Stiawalt 9). Steals—CP 4 (Hickel 2, Liebl 2), NC 6 (Stiawalt 3). TO—CP 10, NC 12.
MID-WINTER CLASSIC
1st—St. John vs. Ness City, 8:15
3rd—Central Plains vs. Pratt, 6:30
5th—Macksville vs. Nickerson, 4:45
7th—Larned vs. Wichita West, 3
FRIDAY
St. John 51, Pratt 34
Ness City 52, Central Plains 46
Nickerson 61, Larned 59
THURSDSAY
Central Plains 60, Nickerson 37
Ness City 64, Larned 46
Macksville 79, Wichita West 56
TUESDAY
St. John 57, Wichita West 20
Pratt 50, Macksville 40
