BUFFALO –Altoona-Midway High School hopes the rest of its five-game home stand goes a lot better than it started out.
AMHS opened the extended home stretch Friday night at Milo Peterson Gymnasium, hosting the Jayhawk-Linn Jayhawks. The invaders from Mound City easily swept the doubleheader, winning the girls’ game 68-19 and posting a 60-12 triumph in the boys’ matchup.
Both AMHS varsity squads now sport 3-9 overall records and stand 2-4 in Three Rivers League play.
Altoona-Midway now prepares to host the fourth annual Captain Milburn Apt Memorial Tournament, which will be held Jan. 20, 22 and 23 in Milo Peterson Gymnasium.
AMHS BOYS
For the second time in the week, the Jets squared off against a much larger school, and it showed. Jayhawk-Linn (a 3A school) led from start to finish in rolling to a 60-12 victory.
The Jayhawks jumped to a 19-4 lead after one period, and the Jets were blanked the entire second period as JLHS stretched it to 32-4 at intermission.
The lid remained on the basket in the second half for AMHS as they fell behind 49-7 entering the fourth period.
It was the fifth win in a row for Jayhawk-Linn (7-4).
“Once again, the problem was not being able to throw the ball into the ocean,” said Altoona-Midway head coach Dave Vance. “But we really did not play as bad as the score looks. Playing without one starter (Taj Chism) and our first guy off the bench (Caden Sicka) we only had 12 turnovers.”
AMHS connected on just 3-of-28 two-point attempts in the contest. They took only five treys and made one, and went 3-of-7 at the charity stripe.
“Some people may not be able to tell, but we are seeing a great deal of improvement in many of our players,” Vance said. “Many of our guys are just learning the game, and it is fun seeing them take new steps and gain more confidence.”
Chance Carter tallied four points to top the Jet offense. Kage Beck and Chance Mustain tallied two points apiece, while Nolan Lampe and Zach Good each added a free throw.
Beck topped the rebounding charts with eight, while Mustain grabbed five board and recorded two blocks and two assists.
Cayton led the Jayhawks with 17 points, including five treys.
“We should have three competitive games this week at home in our tournament,” Vance noted. “Liberty Homeschool is the likely favorite, but all three of these games could go either way.”
AMHS GIRLS
The evening started off much the same way, as the undefeated Jayhawk-Linn girls breezed to a 68-19 victory over the Lady Jets in the opener.
The Lady Jayhawks (11-0) were unstoppable in the first quarter, racking up nearly three dozen points in the opening eight minutes to lead 34-3. It was 51-7 at halftime and 59-17 after three periods.
JLHS has won 9 of its 11 games by over 30 points, and the Lady Jayhawks closest margin of victory all season has been a 25-point spread in the season opener.
AMHS girls’ head coach Jessica Porter was proud of her squad for not giving up. The Jets were only outscored 17-12 over the final two periods.
“The girls obviously didn’t start off very well, but we managed to get better as the game went on,” Porter said. “I was proud of their hustle and sportsmanship.”
Jasa Pankaskie was a bright spot for the Lady Jet offense, as the junior sharpshooter swished three three-pointers and a pair of deuces to finish with 13 points.
Altoona-Midway also got four points from Keyleigh Clines and two from Ava Tindle. Tindle also was credited with a team-high six rebounds.
Jayhawk-Linn’s Bren Bogan scorched the nets for 18 points in the first quarter alone and finished with a game-high 20. Dawson and Vaughn netted 12 points each for the Lady Jayhawks.
Apt Memorial Tournament
Altoona-Midway High School will host the fourth annual Captain Milburn G. Apt Memorial Basketball Tournament this week. Four games will be played each date, with the first game beginning at 4 p.m.
Tuesday, Jan. 20
Chetopa vs. Southern Coffey County (girls)
Chetopa vs. SCC (boys)
Liberty Homeschool Alliance vs. AMHS (girls)
LHA vs. AMHS (boys)
Thursday, Jan. 22
Chetopa vs. LHA (girls)
Chetopa vs. LHA (boys)
SCC vs. AMHS (girls)
SCC vs. AMHS (boys)
Friday, Jan. 23
LHA vs. SCC (girls)
LHA vs. SCC (boys)
Chetopa vs. AMHS (girls)
Chetopa vs. AMHS (boys)
Milburn G. Apt, a 1942 graduate of Buffalo High School, was a Captain in the United States Air Force and was awarded the Distinguished Flying cross in 2007.
On September 26, 1956, Apt became the first pilot to exceed Mach 3 when he flew the Bell X-2 Rocket plane. Just seconds later, unfortunately, the X-2 began uncontrolled oscillations and came apart. Captain Apt was killed in the crash.
Altoona-Midway High School chose “Jets” as its mascot in honor of Captain Apt.