SATURDAY, Feb. 18, 2023
ALTOONA-MIDWAY HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL
BUFFALO – For the Altoona-Midway High School Jets, the 20-game “tune-up” called the regular season is over.
Now it’s time for the main event – postseason play.
Altoona-Midway closed out the regular season portion of its schedule Friday at Milo Peterson Gymnasium, hosting the Jayhawk-Linn Jayhawks. JLHS came away victorious in both games, 43-21 in the girls’ matchup and 62-53 in the boys’ contest.
The Kansas State High School Activities Association has announced the pairings for the Class 1A-Division II sub-state tournaments. Thursday, Feb. 23, the Lady Jets (3-17) will travel to LeRoy to square off against Southern Coffey County (10-9). AMHS is the sixth-seed and the Lady Titans are seeded third.
The following night, Friday, Feb. 24, Altoona-Midway will host a first-round sub-state game when the Jets (8-12) battle St. Paul (6-12) in a matchup of the 4-5 seeds.
Tipoff both nights is slated for 7 p.m.
Winners of the first-round matchups advance to Waverly for sub-state semifinals and finals, March 2-4.
AMHS Boys
Jayhawk-Linn uncharacteristically hit four treys in the opening quarter to open up a 10-point lead over AMHS. And despite an incredible 39-point performance by the Jayhawks’ Braedon Nation, the Jets actually won the final three quarters 41-40, but the damage had been done, resulting in a 62-53 triumph for JLHS.
“The Jayhawks, not known for their 3-point shooting, hit four 3-pointers in the first quarter and none the rest of the game,” said Altoona-Midway head coach Dave Vance. “Nation had a great game, scoring on a variety of post moves, mid-range jumpers, and baseline drives. We just couldn’t stop him.
“The boys gave a great effort trying to mount a comeback, but they could not overcome that first quarter deficit,” Vance added. “They kept us off the boards for second chance points which is usually one of our strengths.”
William Stackhouse led the Jets with 14 points, while Andy Tiger and Jacob Meigs tallied 11 and nine points, respectively. AMHS also got six points from Kieran Foster, four apiece from Blaine Collins and Harley Lopeman, three points from Brandon Johnson and two from Chase Nalley.
“William was able to drive the lane and get to the foul line eight times (making five) which helped our cause,” Vance noted. “Andy Tiger was 2-for-2 from short distance and 2-for-3 from three-point range for a good night of shooting.”
Tiger had seven rebounds, Meigs six and Stackhouse five. Stackhouse and Meigs grabbed three steals each while Foster dished out three assists.
Nation, only a sophomore, was a consistent force for the Jayhawks, with point totals of 9, 11, 9 and 10 in each quarter. Dylan Nickelson added a dozen points for JLHS, including eight in the pivotal opening period.
AMHS posted a 29-12 victory in the two-quarter junior varsity game.
AMHS Girls
The Lady Jets once again gave it their all, but once again lack of depth and height proved too much to overcome.
Jayhawk-Linn jumped out front 11-3 after one period and 21-10 at halftime. The Lady Jayhawks were up 32-13 after three periods and won 43-21.
“Every one of the girls tried their best and gave it 110 percent tonight,” said Altoona-Midway head coach Jessica Porter. “They have nothing to hang their heads about.
“Jayhawk-Linn had 15 girls, and obviously never got tired,” she added. “They were also tall. We boxed out and would have position, but it was no match to their height. Still, the girls gave me everything they had.”
Emmalynn Pupanek and Summer Raymond each rang up seven points to share scoring honors for the Lady Jets, while Ava Hufford was close behind with six points, all from the charity stripe. Chantal Morales also added a free throw for AMHS.
Morales and Pupanek also hauled in nine rebounds each. Pupanek also snatched six steals and Hufford pilfered four.
Brea Dawson and Brooklyn Bogan tossed in 12 points apiece to pace the Jayhawk-Linn attack, while Brenlyn Bogan chipped in 10.