For the second time this week, the Altoona-Midway Middle School Jets have been forced to postpone or cancel a scheduled Mineral Belt League basketball game.
Monday, a home game against St. Patrick’s of Parsons – scheduled for Milo Peterson Gymnasium – was called off due to severe cold weather and road conditions. The Jets have also been forced to forfeit today’s slated matchup at Edna due to illness, resulting in a lack of available players.
School authorities are attempting to see if the game against St. Pat’s could be rescheduled next week, but nothing has yet been confirmed. Today’s matchup with Edna will not be made up.
“We just didn’t have enough players available for our game on the 29th,” said AMMS coach David Batzer. “That’s a shame, but on the bright side, it gives us a few extra days to prepare for Elk Valley the following Monday (Feb. 2). We are also hoping to have that makeup game before the Mineral Belt League Tournament on February 7th.”
Prior to the two scratches, the Jets were actually entering the week on the wings of their second-highest offensive output of the season.
AMMS vs. Mound Valley
Mound Valley defeated Altoona-Midway 31-15 on Thursday, Jan. 22. Despite the loss, that point total for the Jets (1-8) has been exceeded only in their season opener, in which AMMS scuttled Chetopa 26-12.
“First of all, I’d like to thank Randall Tindle for stepping in to coach (against Mound Valley),” Batzer noted. “I had to attend an Ag-Teacher symposium in Wichita. The team responded well with their second-best scoring output of the year. We still aren’t taking enough shots, partly due to turnovers, but we are improving.”
Batzer indicated that Coach Tindle thought the boys played well as a team, but they still have a lot to improve upon.
“After watching the film, I completely agree with his sentiments,” Batzer said. “Mostly, we lack … confidence on the court. Hopefully, we can get some before our next game.”
Thaddeus Tindle rattled the nets for eight points and grabbed nine rebounds against Mound Valley to lead the Jets in both categories.
Jeffrey Nelson and Hunter Reaves each added two points for AMMS, while Xavier Poeverlein, Easton Matlock, and Alex Lockhart chipped in one point apiece.
“All six players scored for us, which was a first for the team this year,” Batzer noted.
Poeverlein hauled down five rebounds, Reaves copped four steals and Nelson pilfered three in a good defensive effort.
Wagner led Mound Valley with 15 points.