ST. JOHN — Playing without junior point guard Kade Kinnamon for the first time this season, the St. John-Hudson High School boys’ basketball team was able to come away with a big win over rival Macksville in the championship game of the St. John Lions Club Mid-Winter Classic.
The Tigers, who are ranked No. 1 in Class 1A Division-I in the latest Kansas Basketball Coaches Association poll, beat the Mustangs 70-47 on Saturday night.
Sophomore forward Dean Wade made his presence known, scoring a game-high 23 points and grabbing 12 rebounds for a double-double. He also finished with a team-leading four steals.
Ethan Long added 17 points, and Spencer Nusser scored 16 for St. John (13-0).
Macksville was led by junior point guard Tanner Tranbarger, who finished with 17 points.
Jordan Welch added 10 points.

Pratt 59, Central Plains 47
ST. JOHN — Pratt stayed in the driver’s seat throughout the first half against Central Plains.
The Oilers closed the gap to 37-31 after three quarters, but the Greenbacks finished with a win.
Braeden Crites and Even Liebl led Central Plains (7-7), each scoring 11 points.
Joe Barton grabbed 15 rebounds for the Oilers.

Medicine Lodge 61, Larned 54
ST. JOHN — Medicine Lodge rallied in the fourth quarter, outscoring Larned 22-14 in the final eight minutes for a win.
Larned was led by Michael Reece, who finished with 16 points and nine rebounds.
Easton Palmer added 13 points, and Brayden Smith scored 11.
Nolan Allison also finished with nine rebounds for the Indians (2-11).

Minneapolis 60, Ellinwood 32
HOISINGTON — Minneapolis had Ellinwood playing catch-up from the beginning in a third-place game of the Hoisington Cardinal Winter Jam.
The Lions took a 14-8 lead after eight minutes, and never looked back.
Josh Macy led Minneapolis with 19 points.
The Eagles (4-8) were led by Derek Ward, who finished with nine points.
Patrick Ringering added seven points.
Ellinwood travels to Wichita Northfield on Tuesday night.

Otis-Bison 48, La Crosse 40
HOISINGTON — Otis-Bison led 35-31 after three quarters, and was able to add to it down the stretch for a fifth-place victory in the Hoisington Cardinal Winter Jam on Saturday afternoon.
The Cougars (5-8) were led by Justus Bartonek, who finished with 13 points.
Otis-Bison post player Tyler Maier finished with a double-double, scoring 12 points and reeling in 22 rebounds.
Dylan Wissman added nine points.
Otis-Bison hosts Dighton on Tuesday night, starting at 8.

GIRLS
Russell 55, Ellinwood 40
HOISINGTON — A rough start compounded to a brutal loss for Ellinwood in the girls’ championship game of the Hoisington Cardinal Winter Classic.
The Lady Eagles allowed Russell to start with a 17-0 run, leaving Ellinwood (8-4) struggling to keep up.
Of Ellinwood’s four losses this season, two have come at the hands of Russell, while the other two were against undefeated St. John.
The Lady Eagles were led by Rachel Doll, who finished with 11 points.
Brooke Panning, who finished with 10 points for Ellinwood, left the game early with an injured finger.
The Lady Eagles are back in action on Tuesday night on the road against Wichita Northfield.

Hoisington 45, Otis-Bison 31
HOISINGTON — Hoisington junior point guard Jordin Greer scorched Otis-Bison for 24 points in a fifth-place win in the Hoisington Cardinal Winter Jam.
Greer was the only Lady Cardinals player in double figures, as they pulled away in the second half after leading 23-19 at intermission.
Annie Kraisinger scored 14 points to lead the Lady Cougars. Hannah Bannister added 12.
Otis-Bison (4-9) hosts Dighton on Tuesday night, starting at 6:15.
Hoisington (5-6) plays host to Smith Center on Tuesday.

                                  — Kevin Price