BY BUDDY TABLER
Special to the Tribune
LINDSBORG — A big fourth quarter led Smoky Valley to a 55-45 victory Friday over the Larned Indians. The Vikings outscored the Indians 20-8 in the decisive fourth quarter.
Larned (5-9, 0-4 CKL) lost a fourth-quarter lead for the second consecutive game.
The game was a physical battle in the paint as Smoky Valley’s 6-3 Haven Lysell and 6-1 Jake Lucas crashed the offensive glass , battling with Larned’s Ethan Haas, Dillen Smith and Layton Crosby. The Vikings outscored Larned 11-4 at the free throw line.
Larned converted 18 of field goals for 40% and 4 of 7 free throws. Larned committed 14 turnovers, 5 in the fourth quarter. Andreus Tucker scored 15 points. Layton Crosby added 13 and Jack Stelter eight.
“We let one slip away that we should’ve had,” said Larned coach Jerrod Smith. “My kids got impatient in the fourth quarter. We didn’t take good shots. impatience led to costly turnovers and once the tide turned, they got away.”
Larned got off to a hot start that led to an 18-7 lead at the end of the first quarter. Larned’s offense was clicking on all cylinders behind 60% shooting at the outset but a cold second quarter allowed Smoky Valley to outscore the Indians 16-6 and narrow the deficit to just 24-23 at halftime.
It was a battle of zone defenses throughout the game as both teams battled to prevent inside scoring. The Vikings’ Jake Lucas made four 3-pointers to keep Smoky Valley close.Larned’s Andreus Tucker was countering with mid-range jump shots and providing Larned’s offensive spark.
The two teams battled on even terms in the third quarter as Larned kept their slim edge at 37-35 going into the critical fourth quarter. That’s when the wheels fell off for the Indians as Smoky Valley used that 20-8 run to close out the win.
Smoky Valley’s Haven Lysell and Jake Lucas scored 14 apiece. Ryan Heline added 10.
Larned 18 6 13 8 — 45
Smoky Valley 7 16 12 20 — 55
LARNED (5-9, 0-4)—Tucker 15, Crosby 13, Stelter 8, Smith 7, Haas 2, Totals 18-44 4-7 45
SMOKY VALLEY (5-9, 2-2)—Lysell 14, Jake Lucas 14, Ryan Heline 10, Heble 8, Blanchat 4, Elseth 3, Ty Miller 2, Totals 18-40 11-16 55
