CENTRAL PLAINS 56,
HILL CITY 25
Hill City 8 2 10 5 — 25
Central Plains 17 13 11 15 — 56
HC—Mekhei Bates 3-7 2-3 8; Tate Buchholz 3-10 0-0 8; Zech Wilson 2-6 0-1 4; Everett Brandyberrry 1-2 0-0 3; Clairborne Kyles 1-6 0-0 2; Adam VanLoenen 0-1 0-0 0; Joel Pimlott 0-1 0-0 0; Dom Journigan 0-1 0-0 0; Asa Brandyberry 0-1 0-0 0; Totals 10-35 2-4 25.
CP—Braeden Crites 9-9 0-2 18; Devin Ryan 2-7 8-9 14; Jacob Warnken 3-4 0-0 9; Michael Ryan 2-8 2-4 6; Brady Rugan 2-6 0-0 4; Alex Hickel 1-1 0-0 2; Alex Barton 0-1 0-0 0; Kyle Lewis 1-1 0-0 2; Trustin Kreft 0-3 1-2 1; C. Schlochtermeier 0-1 0-0 0; Totals 20-41 11-17 56.
3-point goals—HC 3-13 (Bucholz 2-7, E. Brandyberry 1-2, Bates 0-1, Pimlott 0-1, Kyles 0-1, Wilson 0-1); CP 5-17 (Warnken 3-4, D. Ryan 2-7, M. Ryan 0-5, Schlochtermeier 0-1). Rebounds—HC 18 (Wilson 5); CP 28 (Crites 9). Assists—HC 4 (Buchholz 2); CP 10 (Crites 4); Steals—HC 4 (Buchholz 2); CP 4 (M. Ryan 2).
CLASS 2A
At Manhattan, Bramlage Coliseum
Saturday’s games
Third place, Central Plains 52, Hill City 25
Championship, Jackson Heights 64, Salina Sacred Heart 55
Friday’s semifinals
Jackson Heights 68, Hill City 48
Salina Sacred Heart 62, Central Plains 52
Thursday’s games
Hill City 74, Sedan 69
Jackson Heights 53, Elbing-Berean Academy 44
Central Plains 77, Lawrence Seabury 56
Salina Sacred Heart 75, South Gray 57
MANHATTAN -- The dream of a Class 2A state basketball championship vanished the night before for the No. 1 ranked Central Plains Oilers.
Braeden Crites insured the Oilers would finish with a victory with 18 points to spark Central Plains past Hill City 56-25 in the Class 2A third-place game Saturday.
The Oilers (25-1) took control with a stunning 23-2 scoring streak for a 30-10 halftime lead. Devin Ryan scored 14 first-half points and Crites started a 9 for 9 shooting afternoon with six field goals. Devin Ryan converted eight first-half free throws and jump started the Oilers with a pair of 3-pointers.
The Oilers’ defense dominated as Hill City managed four first-half field goals and committed 12 first-half turnovers.
The Oilers were coming off a stunning 62-52 loss to Salina Sacred Heart in the 2A semifinals. But Crites and Devin Ryan ignited a solid first half.
The Oilers brought home a state trophy, but not the one they wanted.
“We were worried about a letdown after last night because we expended to much energy,” said Oiler coach Brett Rolfs. “We took care of business. We did what we had to do.”
The Oilers capped a three-year reign of twice losing to eventual Class 2A state champion St. John and losing to No. 2 ranked Salina Sacred Heart.
Rolfs gained respect for the Oilers’ competitive spirit the past four years.
“It’s a special group of kids, special character kids,” he said. “I’ve been so fortunate to coach these guys. I can’t thank them enough. I’m so thankful.”
Hill City (17-8) was paced by Tate Buchholz and Mekhei Bates with eight points apiece. The Ringnecks made 10 of 35 field goals and committed 17 turnovers.
