BY BUDDY TABLER

NICKERSON — The Nickerson boys opened the game looking like a state championship contender as they nearly ran the Larned Indians out of the gym, racing to a 23-8 first quarter lead for a 67-48 victory in a Central Kansas League basketball victory.
Braden Stewart keyed the Panthers’ surge with 10 first-quarter points that led to a 31-21 halftime lead. Larned was within 41-32 when the Panthers pulled away with a 25-point quarter.
Nickerson dominated the boards 40-21 that led to second-chance points.
Stewart led the Panthers with 24 points, five 3-pointers, five steals and 11 rebounds. Jared Petz added 14 points and 11 boards. Austin O’Toole added 10 points and eight assists for Nickerson (5-7, 2-3 CKL).
Larned (3-11, 0-5 CKL) was led by Jonathan Herter (13), Dalton Bright (12), Chance Sanger (8) and Alex Barger (8). The Indians travel to Halstead Friday.
LHS 8 13 11 16 — 48
NHS 23 8 11 25 — 67
NHS—Braden Stewart 8-13 3-4 24; O’Toole 4-14 1-3 10; Camron Stewart 1-2 0-0 2; Schrag 3-4 2-2 8; Petz 6-13 2-2 14; Kuhns 1-2 0-1 2; Engelland 2-6 0-0 7; Totals 26-54 8-13 67.