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Sanger, Skelton red hot in Larned upset
Chance Sanger scores on a fast break opportunity
Larned High Schools Chance Sanger scores on a fast break opportunity against Lakin on Tuesday night. - photo by COURTESY PHOTO Janet Fleske

LARNED—Fueled by Chance Sanger’s 29 points and Brock Skelton’s 26, the Larned boys upset the #7-ranked 3A Lakin Broncs here Tuesday evening, 69-58, in a tense and hard-fought non-conference game.
With both teams playing full-court pressure defense the action was fast and furious in the first half as Larned edged to a first quarter lead of 18-17, even though they turned the ball over 6 times. The outside shooting of Skelton and Sanger propelled Larned to an 11 point halftime lead of 37-26 as they continually broke Lakin’s press. Skelton had 17 of his points by halftime.
Lakin scored the first five points after the break to pull within six but a Larned run pushed the third quarter lead to 59-44. Lakin then scored 12 straight points to begin the fourth quarter and t he Larned lead was only three but the Indians then scored 9 straight to regain a comfort zone and with 3:06 remaining had pushed to a 65-56 lead. Larned then held off the Broncs with a couple of free throws and a breakaway basket for the final margin of 69-58.
Both teams shot the ball well. Lakin converted 21 of 38 field goal attempts and 4 of 5 free throws. Larned hit on 26 of 49 field goal attempts and 6 of 10 free throws.
Larned coach Jerrod Smith said, “We shot the ball well and we broke their press numerous times for easy baskets. I had hoped that we would be able to do that and we did. Our defense, from everybody that played, was really good. We are beginning to develop an identity there. Great effort from the entire team.”
Diego Davila led Lakin in scoring with 23 points. He was backed up by Hunter Kirby’s 15 and John Wright’s 10. Lakin drops to 14-4 for the season. They will host Syracuse on Friday.
Sanger’s 29 and Skelton’s 26 led Larned as the Indians shot 55% from the field. The Indians travel to Lindsborg Friday to take on Smoky Valley in a Central Kansas League game. Larned improved to 8-10 with the victory.

Lakin 17 9 18 14 - 58
Larned 18 19 22 10 - 69
LAKIN—Davila 9 0-0 23, Kirby5 4-5 17, Shalberg 4 0-0 10, Chavez 1 0-0 2, Wright 1 0-0 2, Hernandez 1 0-0 2, Totals 22 4-5 58.
LARNED (8-10)—Sanger 12 0-0 29, Skelton 11 1-2 26, Perez 0 2-5 2, Phillips 1 1-2 3, Smith 1 1-2 3, Harmon 1 0-0 2, Castro 2 0-0 4, Totals 28 5-11 69.