Sacred Heart's size overpowers Oilers
By Jim Misunas
jmisunas@gbtribune.com
MANHATTAN -- Salina Sacred Heart's Lucas Comfort supplied the finishing touch with a slam dunk against No. 1 ranked Central Plains.
The Knights' powerful tandem of 6-foot-6 Jerod Toogood and 6-5 Jack Skidmore muscled up inside to dominate the Oilers 62-52 in Friday's Class 2A boys state semifinals. The Knights outscored the Oilers 18-1 to swing the momentum after trailing 27-17 in a matchup of 24-0 teams.
It was a heartbreaker for the Oilers after a perfect season.
Toogood matched his namesake with a perfect 7 of 7 field goals and 7 of 7 free throws for 21 points. Skidmore added 12 points.
If recent history is any indication, Sacred Heart is a lock to win the Class 2A state championship. The Knights are a perfect 8-0 in state title games.
The Oilers (24-1) lost to Class 2A state champion St. John the past two seasons, including a 49-44 loss in last year's state finals.
Alex Barton led the Oilers with 18 points and Braeden Crites added 12 points. Michael Ryan added nine points off 3 of 12 shooting. His brother Devin Ryan made 2 of 11 field goals.
The Oilers appeared to be in control with a 27-17 lead. Crites scored twice sandwiched around scores by Devin Ryan and Barton.
The Knights broke down the Oilers' defense inside behind the powerful presence of Toogood and Skidmore.
Toogood scored the Knights' final eight points of the first half after a Skidmore score to ignite a game-changing 18-1 scoring burst. Toogood added two baskets and Comfort and Skidmore for a 35-28 lead.
The Oilers made several fourth-quarter rallies. Barton and Michael Ryan each converted 3-pointers to draw the Oilers within 45-43. The Oilers were within 56-52 when the Knights closed with the final six points.
SALINA SACRED HEART 62, CENTRAL PLAINS 52
Sacred Heart 17 10 16 19 -- 62
Central Plains 18 10 9 15 -- 52
SH--Jerod Toogood 7-7 7-7 21; Caleb Jordan 4-7 4-4 14; Jack Skidmore 6-8 0-0 12; Lucas Comfort 4-12 1-3 9; Stratton Brown 0-5 3-5 3; Quinn Riordan 1-4 0-0 2; Tyler Gormley 0-0 1-2 1; Totals 22-43 16-21 62.
CP--Alex Barton 5-10 6-8 18; Braeden Crites 4-9 4-4 12; Michael Ryan 3-12 1-2 9; Devin Ryan 2-11 0-0 6; Jacob Warnken 2-5 1-1 5; Brady Rugan 1-1 0-0 2; Alex Hickel 0-1 0-0 0; Totals 17-49 12-15 52.
3-point goals--SH 2-12 (Jordan 2-4, Comfort 0-1, Riordan 0-2, Brown 0-5), CP (M. Ryan 2-5, Barton 2-5, D. Ryan 2-10, Hickel 0-1, Warnken 0-1). Rebounds--SH 32 (Toogood 8), CP 28 (Warnken 6). Assists--SH 8 (Comfort 3), CP 2 (Crites 1, Warnken 1); Steals--SH 5 (Jordan 2), CP 1 (M. Ryan 1).
CLASS 2A
At Manhattan, Bramlage Coliseum
Saturday's games
2 p.m.--Third place, Central Plains (24-1) vs. Hill City (18-7)
6:15 p.m--Championship, Salina Sacred Heart (25-0) vs. Jackson Heights (23-2) 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
