GABE PYLE, MALVO, DOILE, JETT PYLE, STRATHMAN LEAD MCPHERSON

By William

MCPHERSON – On Tuesday, the McPherson Middle School 7th and 8th grade boys basketball teams hosted Maize and split four games, with the 8th grade Junior Pups getting a sweep of two games while the 7th grade Junior Pups lost twice.

Next up for the 7th and 8th grade Junior Pups will be to host Hutchinson on Thursday.

Here are summaries and scoring for all four games:

8th GRADE JUNIOR PUPS vs. MAIZE ON TUESDAY:

JUNIOR PUPS 8TH GRADE ‘A’ GAME:

SCORE: JUNIOR PUPS 44, Maize 32

JUNIOR PUPS 8TH GRADE ‘A’ TEAM INDIVIDUAL SCORING: Gabe Pyle 21; Bishop Brown 7; Carter Allen 7; Ian Razak 6; Brenden Doile 3.

It was battle of the big guns as Maize came into the game in 1st place and unbeaten in the Wichita Suburban League Division I while the Junior Pups were ranked 2nd in the Wichita Suburban League Division II.

The battle turned into a 12-point, 44-32 win for the Junior Pups to give them a 7-2 mark for the season as they now prep to play Hutchinson on Thursday.

Gabe Pyle led the way with 21 points while both Bishop Brown and Carter Allen chipped in with seven.

“I had a feeling that Gabe (Pyle) would come out with high energy just knowing the match up and he was solid not just offensively, but defensively as well,” noted Head Coach Tyler Brown. “We made some adjustments part way through the first quarter after being down 9-2 and then we were able to battle back to finish the quarter tied at 12-12. Once we made those adjustments, I felt like we had something that they hadn’t planned for and we were able to capitalize on it.”

Coach Brown concluded his reflections on the game by adding, “Defensively we closed out both halves extremely strong. We held them to just two points in the second quarter and held them to just five points in the fourth quarter and that was the difference. After the 9-2 deficit to start the game we did not trail at any point after that, winning each of the final three quarters. But it does not get any easier this year as we will have a rematch with Hutchinson, the Wichita Suburban League Division 2 Champions on Thursday.”

JUNIOR PUP 8TH GRADE ‘B’ GAME:

SCORE: JUNIOR PUPS 33, Maize 32

JUNIOR PUPS 8TH GRADE ‘B’ TEAM INDIVIDUAL SCORING: Jaxson Malvo – 20; Brenden Doile – 11; Spencer Strecker – 2.

This was a big win for the now 3-6 ‘B’ team as they managed to nip Maize by one-point for the 33-32 win. It gives the ‘B’ team their third straight victory.

Jaxson Malvo had a big game by scoring 20 while Brenden Doile chipped in with 11.

“Three in a row is a huge statement for these guys,” commented ‘B’ team coach TJ Jackson. “They are working together, picking up what we are asking them to do and starting to know how to move together. These guys were able to play in a zone and in their man offense, as well as put pressure on Maize with the full court situation. The energy is growing with these guys and their confidence is increasing. Really proud of all their work.”

7TH GRADE JUNIOR PUPS vs MAIZE ON TUESDAY:

JUNIOR PUPS 7TH GRADE ‘A’ GAME:

SCORE: Maize 62, JUNIOR PUPS 52

JUNIOR PUPS 7TH GRADE ‘A’ TEAM INDIVIDUAL SCORING: Jett Pyle – 26; Cade Strathman – 12; Paxton Ingels – 7; Kaizer Kanitz – 5; Jackson Anderson – 2.

Despite four three-pointers in the fourth quarter by Jett Pyle, the 7th grade Junior Pups ‘A’ team were unable to make up a deficit and score a win as they lost by 10 to Maize at home, 62-52.

Jett Pyle led the team with 26 points overall while Cade Strathman also reach double figures with 12.

“Tonight, we competed with a very talented Maize team,” explained 7th grade Junior Pup Head Coach Paul Reichenberger. “We battled back into the game in the fourth quarter as Jett (Pyle) hit four fourth quarter threes and helped our team get back into the game. Overall, if we can fix our transition defense and stop giving up so many layups, the ‘A’ team will put themselves in a position to win more games.”

JUNIOR PUPS 7TH GRADE ‘B’ GAME:

SCORE: Maize 56, Junior Pups 10

JUNIOR PUPS 7TH GRADE ‘B’ TEAM INDIVIDUAL SCORING: Ethan Harrington – 6; Caleb Muehler – 3; Jaydn Mari – 1.

Facing one of the best ‘B’ teams of the season didn’t help much as the Junior Pups 7th grade ‘B’ team took a major beating, losing 56-10 to Maize.

Only three players scored with Ethan Harrington leading the way with six.

‘B’ team coach Grant Barrett had these reflections after the game, saying, “They were very fundamentally sound with solid traps forcing us into turnovers. We were able to find a bright spot in winning the third quarter. We were able to knock down some threes and force them into turnovers. I know this was not the result the boys wanted, but we were able to find the small wins, and we will continue to get better in practice.”

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