CLAFLIN — Macksville pushed No. 1 ranked 2A Central Plains to the limit when the Oilers’ vintage teamwork swept the Mustangs away.
The Oilers pulled away from a 2-point lead for a 56-41 championship over Macksville in the 2A Central Plains substate basketball tournament. The Oilers led 25-23 at halftime with Macksville playing a superb first half.
Time-after-time, the Oilers made an extra pass to Alex Barton for a quality shot. Hard-charging Alex Barton scored 22 points on 10 of 11 shooting off perfect post feeds by Devin Ryan who had six assists. Barton converted four consecutive second-half baskets with potential for 3-point plays every time.
Devin Ryan and Myles Menges hit third-quarter 3-pointers. One time, Barton expertly fed Brett Liebl for a fourth-quarter basket. Alex Hickel scored 14 points. Myles Menges scored nine points and Liebl added eight points.
The Oilers will be the top-seeded 2A team at Manhattan’s Bramlage Coliseum. Central Plains (23-0) has made 20 state tournaments, counting Claflin and Quivira Heights state trips. But the Oilers, Claflin Wildcats and Quivira Heights Thunderbirds have never won a boys basketball title.
Macksville (18-5) was sparked by Jacob Rein with 13 points and Kaleb Lickiss added 10 points.

Macksville 11 12 5 13 – 41
C. Plains 18 7 13 18 – 56
MACKSVILLE (18-5)—Rein 4-12 4-4 13, Lickiss 4-7 2-4 10, Parr 2-8 0-0 6, Mead 2-3 0-0 4, Waters 3-6 1-2 8, Totals 15-36 7-10 41.
CENTRAL PLAINS (23-0)—Barton 10-11 2-6 22, Hickel 5-9 3-4 14, Menges 1-3 6-8 9, Devin Ryan 1-5 0-0 3, Liebl 4-9 0-0 8, Totals 21-37 11-18 56.

2A STATE, MANHATTAN BRAMLAGE COLISEUM

THURSDAY’S GAMES

6:30 p.m.—Central Plains (23-0) vs. Inman (13-9)

8:15 p.m.—Burlingame (20-2) vs. Salina Sacred Heart (20-3)

3 p.m.—Howard West Elk (21-1) vs. Stanton Co. (16-6)

4:45 p.m.—Pittsburg Colgan (21-2) vs. Plainville (17-6)