TUESDAY, Feb. 14, 2023
ALTOONA-MIDWAY HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL
BUFFALO – Both Altoona-Midway High School varsity squads battled gallantly, but the opposition was just too strong as Southeast High School of Cherokee rolled into Milo Peterson Gymnasium and swept a Three Rivers League doubleheader here Monday night.
The Southeast girls opened the twinbill with a 48-20 win over Altoona-Midway, and the Indians followed that up with a 79-48 victory in the boys’ matchup.
Monday’s games were originally scheduled Jan. 24 but were postponed, leaving the Jets with a busy final week to sub-state action.
AMHS is scheduled to travel to Yates Center on Tuesday before coming back home close out regular-season play Friday, Feb. 17, hosting Jayhawk-Linn for Parent’s Night.
AMHS Boys
Altoona-Midway trailed the Lancers by only nine (38-29) at halftime, but Southeast’s Cade Burdette decided to take things into his own hands.
Burdette, the Lancers’ all-time leading scorer, poured in five three-pointers after intermission to finish with 15 points after being held scoreless by the Jet defense over the opening two quarters.
“The final score was lopsided, but our kids gave great effort,” said AMHS head coach Dave Vance. “We were going up against a juggernaut in Southeast, and we could have easily packed it in and lost by 60 – but we competed for the entire game. This same effort would see us be victorious in many other games.”
But while Burdette took a while to warm up, his teammates more than picked up the slack, as three other Lancers scored in double digits.
Easton Renn actually led the Southeast attack, finishing with 20 points, while Wyatt Scales racked up 18 points and John Turpin netted 15.
Kieran Foster led the Jets with 13 points, while William Stackhouse had a great all-around performance, finishing with 12 points, 11 rebounds, six steals and three assists.
“William had a real ‘stat-stuffer’ outing,” Vance said. “He was impressive.”
Andy Tiger also reached double figures to AMHS with 10. Jacob Meigs and Blaine Collins tallied five points apiece, and Chase Nalley added three.
Southeast led 25-12 at the quarter, but the Jets rallied to pull within nine by half.
“We did a much better job getting the ball up court against their pressure in the second quarter,” Vance noted. “We ran the offense efficiently and got back into the game. But Burdette caught fire and that, along with Southeast’s tremendous height and rebounding advantage, told the story in the second half.”
Altoona-Midway (7-11) has now dropped eight of their last 10 games.
AMHS Girls
The Lady Jets (3-15) continue to play with full effort and energy despite their limited roster.
Southeast led 11-4 after one period of play, and increased that advantage to 26-8 at halftime. The Lady Lancers went up 40-12 at the end of three quarters and closed things out with a 48-20 triumph.
“We played really hard tonight and never gave up,” said AMHS head coach Jessica Porter. “After we broke the press and settled down we were able to knock down some shots.
“This was a very fast-paced game, and – as unfortunately is often the case since we only have six players – I think we got a little tired,” Porter added. “But they didn’t quit. They never do. We did the best we could, and I’m proud of the girls.”
Emmalynn Pupanek finished with a double-double for the Lady Jets, as the sophomore fired in 10 points and also grabbed 10 rebounds. Pupanek also had four steals, two blocks and two assists.
AMHS also got six points from Ava Hufford, four from Summer Raymond, and two from Chantal Morales. Hufford and Morales each hauled in five rebounds, while Raymond and Ava Tindle finished with four and three steals, respectively.
Eliz White led Southeast with 12 points while Charlee Gideon notched 11 for the Lancers.